Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “oarsman” come from?

Oarsman combines English oar and English man, ultimately deriving from Proto-Indo-European men- meaning to think or intend, and ḱóm meaning with or together.

oarsman (English): A man who rows a boat, either alone or with...

Definitions

  1. A man who rows a boat, either alone or with...

Ancestry of “oarsman”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishoarA type of lever used to propel a boat, having a...
2Middle EnglishoreAlternative form of oure; Alternative form of...
3Old Englishārhonour, help, pardon; honor, worth, dignity,...
4Proto-West Germanicaiʀuhonour; respect, reverence
5Proto-Germanicaizōfear; reverence; honour
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂oys-éh₂—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eys-to wish; to request

Words derived from “oarsman”

  • oarsmanship
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eys- →