Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “berm” come from?

Berm comes from French berme, from Middle Dutch barm and baerm, from Old Dutch barm, from Proto-Germanic barmaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰer-.

berm (English): A narrow ledge or shelf, as along the top or...

Definitions

  1. A narrow ledge or shelf, as along the top or...

Ancestry of “berm”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchbermberm, verge, tree lawn, roadside
2Middle Dutchbaerm—
3Old Dutchbarm—
4Proto-Germanicbarmazlap; bosom
5Indo-European*bʰer-—
Every word from Indo-European *bʰer- →