Where does “derf” come from?

derf (English) comes from Middle English derf, from Old English dearf, from Proto-Germanic derbaz, from Proto-Germanic derbaną, from Proto-Indo-European dʰerHbʰ- — to work, perish, die.

derf (English): strong; powerful; fierce

Definitions

  1. strong; powerful; fierce

Ancestry of “derf”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishderfbold, daring, strong
2Old Englishdearf—
3Proto-Germanicderbazbold, determined, strong
4Proto-Germanicderbanąto work; to perish
5Proto-Indo-EuropeandʰerHbʰ-to work, perish, die
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰerHbʰ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic derbaną →Every word from Proto-Germanic derbaz →