Where does “brothel-keeper” come from?

brothel-keeper (English) comes from English brothel, from Middle English brothel, from Old English brēoþel, from Proto-Germanic breuþaną, from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- — to bear, carry.

brothel-keeper (English): A person who runs a brothel, either legally or...

Definitions

  1. A person who runs a brothel, either legally or...

Ancestry of “brothel-keeper”, step by step

brothel-keeper traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English brothel

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbrothelA house of prostitution; A wretch; a depraved or...
2Middle Englishbrothel—
3Old Englishbrēoþeldegenerative, corruptive
4Proto-Germanicbreuþanąto fall apart; crumble
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰer-to bear, carry

via English keeper

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishkeeperOne who keeps something; A person or thing worth...
2Middle Englishkepere—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- →Every word from Proto-Germanic breuþaną →Every word from Old English brēoþel →