Where does “drawbridge” come from?

Drawbridge comes from Middle English drawbrigge, combining Old English brycġ (bridge) with the verb draw, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dʰreǵ- (to drag or draw).

drawbridge (English): A hinged bridge which can be raised

Definitions

  1. A hinged bridge which can be raised

Ancestry of “drawbridge”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishdrawebriggeA drawbridge bridge or part of bridge that lifts to control passage
2Middle EnglishbriggeA bridge
3Old Norsebryggjapier, gangway
4Proto-Germanicbrewwanąto brew
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰrewh₁-to boil; to brew
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰer-to bear, carry

Words derived from “drawbridge”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰrewh₁- →Every word from Proto-Germanic brewwaną →