Where does “fireteam” come from?

fireteam (English) comes from English fire, from Middle English fier, from Old English fȳr, from Old English feor, from Proto-Germanic ferrai, from Proto-Indo-European per-nóy, from Proto-Indo-European per-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós — passed , crossed.

fireteam (English): A small unit of infantry

Definitions

  1. A small unit of infantry

Ancestry of “fireteam”, step by step

fireteam traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English fire

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishfireA chemical reaction involving the bonding of...
2Middle EnglishfierAlternative form of figer
3Old Englishfȳrfire
4Old EnglishfeorAlternative form of feorr; far
5Proto-Germanicferraifar, distant
6Proto-Indo-Europeanper-nóy
7Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via English team

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishteamA set of draught animals, such as two horses in...
2Middle EnglishtemAlternative form of teme; Alternative form of...
3Old Englishtēamteam; child-bearing, offspring, brood, set of...
4Proto-Germanic*taum
5Proto-Germanictaumaza tie; tether; rope; cord; strap; leash; bridle;...
6Proto-Germanictaugijanąto stretch, draw
7Proto-Indo-Europeandewk-to pull, to draw; to lead
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós