Where does “crack” come from?

crack (Dutch) comes from English crack, from Middle English crak, from Old Norse kráka, from Proto-Germanic *krakǭ, from Proto-Germanic krakōną, from Proto-Indo-European ǵerh₂- — to grow old, to mature.

crack (Dutch): crack variety of cocaine

Definitions

  1. crack variety of cocaine

Ancestry of “crack”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcrackTo form cracks; To break apart under pressure; To...
2Middle Englishcrakloud conversation, bragging talk
3Old Norsekrákacrow
4Proto-Germanic*krakǭ—
5Proto-Germanickrakōnąto crack; crackle; shriek
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵerh₂-to grow old, to mature
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵerh₂- →Every word from Proto-Germanic krakōną →Every word from Proto-Germanic *krakǭ →