Where does “jailor” come from?

Jailor comes from Old French jaioleur, derived from Old French jaiole, which traces to Proto-Germanic gagulaz.

jailor (English): Alternative spelling of jailer

Definitions

  1. Alternative spelling of jailer

Ancestry of “jailor”, step by step

jailor traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English jailer

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishjailerOne who enforces confinement in a jail or prison
2Middle EnglishgayolerA prison warden; a jailer/gaoler
3Middle Englishgayolejail, prison place for [[confine
4Old Frenchgaioleprison; gaol; jail
5Medieval Latingabiola
6Late Latincaveola
7Latincaveahollow, cavity; cage, den, enclosure, stall,...
8Latincavushollow, concave; excavated, channeled;...
9Proto-Italickawos
10Proto-Indo-Europeanḱowh₁óshollow
11Proto-Indo-Europeanḱewh₁-to swell; to be strong

via English jail

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishjailA place or institution for the confinement of...

Words derived from “jailor

Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱewh₁-
jailor — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer