Where does “prank” come from?

Prank comes from Middle English pranken, from Middle Dutch pronken, whose original meaning remains unknown.

prank (English): A practical joke or mischievous trick; An evil...

Definitions

  1. A practical joke or mischievous trick; An evil...

Ancestry of “prank”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishprankento prank; to trim; to adorn, arrange one's attire
2Dutchpronkento display, to show off
3Middle Dutchpronkento flaunt

Words derived from “prank”

Every word from Middle Dutch pronken →Every word from Dutch pronken →Every word from Middle English pranken →
prank — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer