Where does “reeky” come from?

reeky (English) comes from English reek, from Middle English reken, from Old Norse reka, from Old Norse vreka, from Proto-Germanic wrekaną, from Proto-Indo-European wreǵ- — to work, act.

reeky (English): Soiled with smoke or steam; smoky; foul; Emitting...

Definitions

  1. Soiled with smoke or steam; smoky; foul; Emitting...

Ancestry of “reeky”, 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
Every word from Proto-Indo-European wreǵ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic wrekaną →Every word from Old Norse vreka →
reeky — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer