Where does “beefaal” come from?

beefaal (Dutch) comes from Dutch aal, from Middle Dutch adel, from Old Dutch athal, from Proto-West Germanic aþal, from Proto-Germanic aþalą, from Proto-Indo-European at-al, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.

beefaal (Dutch): electric eel

Definitions

  1. electric eel

Ancestry of “beefaal”, step by step

beefaal traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Dutch aal

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchaaleel; elver; padre
2Middle Dutchadel
3Old Dutchathal
4Proto-West Germanicaþalnobility; race
5Proto-Germanicaþaląnature, disposition; nobility, race
6Proto-Indo-Europeanat-alfamily, race
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam

via Dutch beven

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchbevento shake, to shiver, to tremble
2Middle Dutchbēvento shake, to shiver, to tremble
3Old Dutchbivon
4Proto-West Germanicbibēnto tremble
5Proto-Germanicbibānąto tremble, quake, shiver
6Proto-Indo-EuropeanbʰeyH-to beat, strike, hew; to strike; beat; to fear,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el-Every word from Proto-Indo-European at-alEvery word from Proto-Germanic aþalą