Where does “limpkin” come from?

limpkin (English) comes from English limp, from Middle English limp, from Old English lemp, from Proto-West Germanic *limpan, from Proto-Germanic limpaną, from Proto-Indo-European (s)lemb- — to droop; sag; hang loosely.

limpkin (English): A large bird, "Aramus guarauna", found in marshes...

Definitions

  1. A large bird, "Aramus guarauna", found in marshes...

Ancestry of “limpkin”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlimpTo walk lamely, as if favouring one leg; To...
2Middle Englishlimp—
3Old Englishlemp—
4Proto-West Germanic*limpanto turn out well
5Proto-Germaniclimpanąto glide; to go; to suit, fit
6Proto-Indo-European(s)lemb-to droop; sag; hang loosely
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)lemb- →Every word from Proto-Germanic limpaną →Every word from Proto-West Germanic *limpan →
limpkin — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer