Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “deerskin” come from?

Deerskin derives from English skin and Middle English dere, from Old English dēor, from Proto-Germanic diurijaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to burn or smoke.

deerskin (English): Leather made from deer hide; The hide, whether...

Definitions

  1. Leather made from deer hide; The hide, whether...

Ancestry of “deerskin”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishdeera ruminant mammal with antlers and hooves of the...
2Middle Englishder—
3Old Englishdēoranimal, beast
4Proto-West Germanicdeuʀanimal, beast
5Proto-Germanicdeuząanimal, beast
6Proto-Indo-Europeandʰewsómliving thing
7Proto-Indo-Europeandʰéwsbreath
8Proto-Indo-Europeandʰwes-to breathe; breath; spirit, soul > creature
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰwes- →