Where does “rackware” come from?

rackware (English) comes from English rack, from Old English reċċan, from Proto-West Germanic rakkjan, from Proto-Germanic rakjaną, from Proto-Indo-European h₃roǵéyeti, from Proto-Indo-European -éyeti, from Proto-Indo-European -yeti — Creates transitive imperfective verbs from roots.

rackware (English): software sold in shops, generally hung on display racks

Definitions

  1. software sold in shops, generally hung on display racks

Ancestry of “rackware”, step by step

rackware traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English rack

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrackA series of one or more shelves, stacked one...
2Old Englishreċċanto stretch, extend; to stretch out, extend
3Proto-West Germanicrakkjanto stretch, to straighten
4Proto-Germanicrakjanąto stretch, to straighten
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃roǵéyetito straighten, to make straight, to cause to be...
6Proto-Indo-European-éyetiForms causative imperfective verbs from roots;...
7Proto-Indo-European-yetiCreates transitive imperfective verbs from roots

via English Ware

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishWareA placename
2Middle EnglishwareAlternative form of veir; Alternative form of...
3Old Englishwærcautious, on guard, watching out for something;...
4Proto-West Germanicwārtrue, reliable
5Proto-Germanicwēraztrue; reliable; friendly; kind
6Proto-Indo-EuropeanwiHrósman; husband; warrior, hero
7Proto-Indo-Europeanweyh₁-to chase, pursue; to suppress, persecute
Every word from Proto-Indo-European -yetiEvery word from Proto-Indo-European -éyetiEvery word from Proto-Indo-European h₃roǵéyeti