Where does “gumdigging” come from?

gumdigging (English) comes from English gum, from Middle English gomme, from Old English guma, from Proto-Germanic gumô, from Proto-Indo-European dʰǵʰm̥mō, from Proto-Indo-European dʰéǵʰōm, from Proto-Indo-European -ōm, from Proto-Indo-European -mi.

gumdigging (English): The work of a gumdigger, digging for kauri gum

Definitions

  1. The work of a gumdigger, digging for kauri gum

Ancestry of “gumdigging”, step by step

gumdigging traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English gum

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgumThe flesh around the teeth; To chew, especially...
2Middle EnglishgommeAlternative form of gome; Alternative form of...
3Old Englishgumaman, hero
4Proto-Germanicgumôman
5Proto-Indo-Europeandʰǵʰm̥mōearthling, human
6Proto-Indo-Europeandʰéǵʰōmearth
7Proto-Indo-European-ōmemphatic suffix or postpositive particle
8Proto-Indo-European-mi

via English digging

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdiggingThe action performed by a person or thing that...
2EnglishdigTo move hard-packed earth out of the way,...
3Middle Englishdiggento dig
4Old Englishdīcianto dig a ditch, to mound up earth
5Zazakidîkonshop
6Proto-Germanicdīkazpool, puddle
7Proto-Indo-Europeandʰēygʷ-to stick into, pierce
Every word from Proto-Indo-European -mi