Where does “cleanskins” come from?

cleanskins (English) comes from English cleanskin, from English clean, from Middle English clene, from Old English clǣne, from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.

cleanskins (English): plural of cleanskin

Definitions

  1. plural of cleanskin

Ancestry of “cleanskins”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcleanskinAn unbranded animal; Someone with no prior...
2Englishclean"Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.";...
3Middle Englishcleneclean
4Old Englishclǣnepure, clear; clean, pure
5Proto-Germanicklainizshining, fine, splendid; tender, precious
6Proto-Indo-Europeang(e)lēi-gleaming
7Proto-Indo-Europeanǵel-to swallow; swallow
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵel-Every word from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-Every word from Proto-Germanic klainiz