Where does “driftwind” come from?

driftwind (English) comes from English wind, from English farm, from Middle English ferme, from Old French ferme, from Medieval Latin ferma, from Latin Firma, from Latin Firmus, from Proto-Italic fermos — to support; to hold.

driftwind (English): A driving wind; a wind that drives snow, sand,...

Definitions

  1. A driving wind; a wind that drives snow, sand,...

Ancestry of “driftwind”, step by step

driftwind traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English wind

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwindReal or perceived movement of atmospheric air...
2EnglishfarmA place where agricultural and similar activities...
3Middle EnglishfermeA lease; the renting of land
4Old Frenchfermelease; the land leased; farm
5Medieval LatinfermaAlternative form of firma
6LatinFirmatax, tribute
7LatinFirmusstrong, powerful
8Proto-Italicfermos
9Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-mo-sholding
10Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-to support; to hold

via English drift

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdriftMovement; that which moves or is moved; The act...
2Middle Englishdrift
3Old Englishdriftan act of driving (cattle, herds, etc.); movement
4Proto-Germanicdriftizdriving
5Proto-Indo-Europeandʰreybʰ-to drive, push
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-