Where does “fetterlock” come from?

fetterlock (English) comes from English Lock, from Middle English lok, from Old English lāc, from Proto-West Germanic laik, from Proto-Germanic laikaz, from Proto-Indo-European leyǵ- — to bind, tie.

fetterlock (English): A shackle or lock

Definitions

  1. A shackle or lock

Ancestry of “fetterlock”, step by step

fetterlock traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Lock

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishLockfrom the surname
2Middle Englishloklock
3Old Englishlācplay, sport, strife, battle, sacrifice, offering,...
4Proto-West Germaniclaikgame, sport
5Proto-Germaniclaikazdance; game, sport; hymn
6Proto-Indo-Europeanleyǵ-to bind, tie

via English fetter

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishfetterA chain or similar object used to bind a person...
2Old Englishfetera fetter
3Proto-Germanicfeturazfetter
4Proto-Indo-Europeanpēd-foot
5Proto-Indo-Europeanped-to walk, to step; to stumble, to fall
Every word from Proto-Indo-European leyǵ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic laikaz →Every word from Proto-West Germanic laik →
fetterlock — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer