Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “knob” come from?

Knob comes from Middle English knobbe, from Middle Low German knobbe, of unknown ultimate origin.

knob (English): A rounded protuberance, especially one arising...

Definitions

  1. A rounded protuberance, especially one arising...

Ancestry of “knob”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishknobbeknob; lump, bump
2Middle Low Germanknobbelump, knot; knob; knot in wood

Words derived from “knob”

  • doorknob
  • knobby
  • knoblike
  • knobstick
  • knobless
  • knobhead
  • knobbiness
  • knobology
  • knobbily
  • knobber
  • knobheaded
  • gearknob
  • drawerknob
  • doorknoblike
  • knobtwat
  • knoblet
Every word from Middle Low German knobbe →