Where does “awn” come from?

Awn comes from Middle English agune, of uncertain origin and meaning.

awn (English): The bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses,...

Definitions

  1. The bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses,...

Ancestry of “awn”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishawneawn of grain
2Old Norseógnterror, threat, dispute
3Old Norseagnbait
4Proto-Germanicaganąto fear, to be afraid
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eh₂ógʰeto be upset, afraid
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eǵʰ-cow

Words derived from “awn

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eǵʰ-
awn — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer