Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cows” come from?

Cow comes from Old English cū, from Proto-Germanic kūz, from Proto-Indo-European gʷṓws, a word for bovine animals.

cows (English): plural of cow; Alternative form of kouse;...

Definitions

  1. plural of cow; Alternative form of kouse;...

Ancestry of “cows”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcowAn adult female of the species "Bos taurus",...
2EnglishcowponyA horse ridden by cowboys when controlling cattle
3EnglishponyA small horse; specifically, any of several small...
4Scotspowny—
5Middle Frenchpoulenetlittle foal
6Latinpullanusyoung of an animal
7LatinpullusA young animal; darling; dark-colored; dusky
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanpolHwóspale, gray
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanpelH-pale, gray
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pelH- →