Where does “kaptein” come from?

kaptein (Afrikaans) comes from Dutch kapitein, from Middle Dutch capitein, from Old French capitaine, from Latin capitāneus, from Latin caput, from Proto-Italic kaput, from Proto-Indo-European káput, from Proto-Indo-European kap- — to seize, hold.

kaptein (Afrikaans): captain, both in the land and naval senses of the rank

Definitions

  1. captain, both in the land and naval senses of the rank

Ancestry of “kaptein”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchkapiteincaptain
2Middle Dutchcapitein—
3Old Frenchcapitaineleader
4Latincapitāneuslarge, chief in size
5Latincaputhead; headlike protuberance on an organ or body...
6Proto-Italickaputhead
7Proto-Indo-Europeankáputhead
8Proto-Indo-Europeankap-to seize, hold
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kap- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European káput →Every word from Proto-Italic kaput →