Where does “overstain” come from?

overstain (English) comes from English stain, from Middle English steinen, from Old Norse steina, from Old Norse Steinn, from Proto-Norse ᛊᛏᚨᛁᚾᚨᛉ, from Proto-Germanic stainaz, from Proto-Indo-European steyh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European steh₂- — to stand.

overstain (English): To stain the surface of; besmear

Definitions

  1. To stain the surface of; besmear

Ancestry of “overstain”, step by step

overstain traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English stain

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishstainA discoloured spot or area; A blemish on one's...
2Middle Englishsteinento stain
3Old Norsesteinato stain, colour, paint
4Old NorseSteinna stone, boulder, rock
5Proto-Norseᛊᛏᚨᛁᚾᚨᛉstone
6Proto-Germanicstainazstone
7Proto-Indo-Europeansteyh₂-to stiffen
8Proto-Indo-Europeansteh₂-to stand

via English over

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishoverDiscontinued; ended or concluded; Thoroughly;...
2Middle Englishoverriverbank, seashore, brink
3Old Englishōferriverbank, seashore, brink, edge, margin, border
4Proto-West Germanicobarover, above
5Proto-Germanicuberover; over, above
6Proto-Indo-Europeanupérabove; over
7Proto-Indo-Europeanupóunder, below
8Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃ewp-
Every word from Proto-Indo-European steh₂-Every word from Proto-Indo-European steyh₂-Every word from Proto-Germanic stainaz
overstain — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer