Where does “brawl” come from?
Brawl derives from French branler, which comes from Latin bragere, traced to Frankish brand, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰreHg-.
brawl (English): A disorderly argument or fight, usually with a...
Definitions
- A disorderly argument or fight, usually with a...
Ancestry of “brawl”, step by step
brawl traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via French branler
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | branler | to shake; to touch; to do |
| 2 | Middle French | bransler | to shake |
| 3 | Old French | bransler | to shake , move |
| 4 | Old French | brandeler | to shake, wave; to agitate |
| 5 | Old French | brand | — |
| 6 | Vulgar Latin | brandus | firebrand, flaming sword, sword; firebrand;... |
| 7 | Frankish | brand | sword; burnt log; brand; cinder; firebrand,... |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | brandaz | fire; flash; flame; burning; flaming; firebrand;... |
| 9 | Proto-Germanic | brinnaną | to burn, to be on fire |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰrewh₁- | to boil; to brew |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰer- | to bear, carry |
via Middle English braulen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | braulen | — |