Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “fossa” come from?

Fossa comes from Latin fossa, derived from the past participle of Latin fodere, which developed from Latin fodio meaning to dig, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰod-.

fossa (English): A pit, groove, cavity, or depression; A long,...

Definitions

  1. A pit, groove, cavity, or depression; A long,...

Ancestry of “fossa”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinfossaditch, trench, moat; gutter, waterway; grave
2Latinfodiō—
3Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰod-to pierce, dig
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰod- →