Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “puke” come from?

Puke derives from Middle English puken, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Old English words for vomiting or similar expulsive sounds, though the exact etymological path remains obscure.

puke (English): vomit; A drug that induces vomiting; A worthless,...

Definitions

  1. vomit; A drug that induces vomiting; A worthless,...

Ancestry of “puke”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Germanicpukanąto spit, puff; to pick, peck, prick, knock
2Proto-Indo-Europeanbew-"low-pitch humming noise"

Words derived from “puke”

  • pukey
  • pukish
  • puker
  • pukeface
  • pukeball
  • puketastic
  • pukeworthy
  • pukestain
  • pukefest
  • pukewad
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bew- →