Where does “nosegay” come from?

Nosegay comes from Middle English nōsegai, which combines Middle English nōse with an element of uncertain origin and meaning.

nosegay (English): A small bunch of fragrant flowers or herbs tied...

Definitions

  1. A small bunch of fragrant flowers or herbs tied...

Ancestry of “nosegay”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishnōsegai
2Middle Englishnōsenose
3Old FrenchnousAlternative form of nos
4Latinnōswe, us
5Proto-Italicnōswe
6Proto-Indo-Europeanwéywe
7Proto-Indo-Europeanéǵh₂I

Words derived from “nosegay

Every word from Proto-Indo-European éǵh₂Every word from Proto-Indo-European wéyEvery word from Proto-Italic nōs