Where does “hearsecloth” come from?

hearsecloth (English) comes from English cloth, from Middle English cloþ, from Old English clāþ, from Proto-Germanic klaiþą, from Proto-Indo-European gleyt-, from Proto-Indo-European gley-, from Proto-Indo-European gel- — to be cold, to freeze.

hearsecloth (English): A cloth for covering a coffin when on a bier; a...

Definitions

  1. A cloth for covering a coffin when on a bier; a...

Ancestry of “hearsecloth”, step by step

hearsecloth traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English cloth

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishclothA woven fabric such as used in dressing,...
2Middle EnglishcloþAlternative form of cloth; cloth, garment
3Old Englishclāþcloth, clothes, covering, sail
4Proto-Germanicklaiþącloth
5Proto-Indo-Europeangleyt-to cling to, cleave, stick
6Proto-Indo-Europeangley-to glue, paste, stick together; to glue, stick...
7Proto-Indo-Europeangel-to be cold, to freeze

via English hearse

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishhearseA hind in the second year of her age; A...
2Middle Englishherse
3Old Frenchherce
4Latinherpicem
5Latinhirpexharrow
6Latinhirpuswolf
7Proto-Indo-Europeanǵʰers-stiff; surprised
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gel-Every word from Proto-Indo-European gley-Every word from Proto-Indo-European gleyt-
hearsecloth — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer