Where does “drum” come from?

Drum comes from Middle Dutch trommelslach, combining Middle Dutch trommel from Proto-Indo-European térmn̥ with Proto-Germanic slagiz and slahaną from Proto-Indo-European slak-.

drum (English): A percussive musical instrument spanned with a...

Definitions

A percussive musical instrument spanned with a...

Ancestry of “drum”, step by step

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	English	drumslade	A drum; A drummer
2	Middle Dutch	trommelslach	drumbeat
3	Middle Dutch	slach	beat
4	Old Dutch	slag	—
5	Proto-West Germanic	slagi	blow, strike
6	Swedish	slagg	—
7	Low German	slagge	—
8	Middle Low German	slagge	—
9	Middle Low German	slān	to hit, strike
10	Old Saxon	slāhan	—
11	Proto-West Germanic	slahan	to hit, to strike; to kill
12	Proto-Germanic	slahaną	to hit, to strike; to kill
13	Proto-Indo-European	slak-	to hit; strike; to hit, strike, throw; to hit,...

Words derived from “drum”

drummer
drumming
eardrum
drumbeat
drumsticks
drumstick
drumhead
kettledrum
drumlike
drumfire
drumline
drumskin
drumbeating
drumfish
kettledrummer
drumless
drumbeater
redrum
drummerless
drumette
kickdrum
drumful
bedrum
drumdried

Every word from Proto-Indo-European slak- →

drum — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer