Where does “reeking” come from?

Reeking derives from English reek, connected through English rick and wrick to Proto-Germanic reukaną, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots h₃reǵ- and rew-.

reeking (English): present participle of reek; Totally stinking

Definitions

  1. present participle of reek; Totally stinking

Ancestry of “reeking”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishreekA strong unpleasant smell; Vapour; steam; smoke;...
2Middle Englishrekento smoke; to drive; move; tend
3Old Norserekashovel; to drive
4Old Norsevrekato drive
5Proto-Germanicwrekanąto pursue, to drive out
6Proto-Indo-Europeanwreǵ-to work, act

Words derived from “reeking”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European wreǵ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic wrekaną →Every word from Old Norse vreka →