Where does “knokploeg” come from?

knokploeg (Dutch) comes from Dutch ploeg, from Middle Dutch ploech, from Old Dutch pluog, from Proto-Germanic plōgaz, from Proto-Celtic ɸlowyos, from Proto-Indo-European plówyos, from Proto-Indo-European plew- — to fly, flow, run.

knokploeg (Dutch): a hit squad, fighting squad, goon squad

Definitions

  1. a hit squad, fighting squad, goon squad

Ancestry of “knokploeg”, step by step

knokploeg traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Dutch ploeg

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchploegteam; crew; plough; coulter
2Middle Dutchploechplough; team
3Old Dutchpluog
4Proto-Germanicplōgazplough
5Proto-Celticɸlowyosrudder
6Proto-Indo-Europeanplówyosship
7Proto-Indo-Europeanplew-to fly, flow, run

via Dutch knokken

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchknokkento fight, to dust up; to hit, to beat
2EnglishknockAn abrupt rapping sound, as from an impact of a...
3Middle EnglishknokkenTo pound; to beat down
4Old Englishcnocianto knock; to knock on something; to hit, strike
5Proto-GermanicknukōnąTo pound on; beat on; knock
6Proto-Indo-Europeangnew-a bundle; knot; knot, bundle
7Proto-Indo-Europeangen-to squeeze, pinch, kink, ball up, concentrate; to...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European plew-