Where does “malebait” come from?

malebait (English) comes from English Malé, from Middle English mele, from Old English melu, from Proto-West Germanic melu, from Proto-Germanic melwą, from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.

malebait (English): An underage boy who is considered sexually attractive by adult women

Definitions

  1. An underage boy who is considered sexually attractive by adult women

Ancestry of “malebait”, step by step

malebait traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Malé

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishMalé
2Middle EnglishmeleFlour, especially that of wheat; The meal of...
3Old Englishmeluflour; meal, the edible part of a grain or pulse
4Proto-West Germanicmeluground corn, meal, flour
5Proto-Germanicmelwąground corn, meal, flour
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmelh₂-to grind, to crush
7Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
8Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange

via English bait

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbaitAny substance, especially food, used in catching...
2Middle EnglishbayteBait or lure; objects used as a bait or lure;...
3Old Norsebeitato graze; to allow, let, make bite; to steer or...
4Proto-GermanicbaitōThat which is or can be bitten; food; bait
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeyd-to split
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰey-bee
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey-Every word from Proto-Indo-European mel-Every word from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-
malebait — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer