Where does “root rot” come from?

root rot (English) comes from English rot, from Middle English roten, from Middle English rote, from Old French rote, from Latin rupta, from Latin ruptus, from Latin rumpō, from Proto-Indo-European Hrunépti — to tear out, dig out, open, acquire.

root rot (English): Any of several plant fungal diseases caused by having overwet roots

Definitions

  1. Any of several plant fungal diseases caused by having overwet roots

Ancestry of “root rot”, step by step

root rot traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English rot

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrotTo suffer decomposition due to biological action,...
2Middle EnglishrotenTo decompose; to make or become rotten or spoiled
3Middle EnglishroteThe root; The foundation or base of a...
4Old Frenchroteroute, path
5Latinruptanominative feminine singular of ruptus;...
6Latinruptusbroken; ruptured, burst
7Latinrumpōto break, burst, tear, rend, rupture; break asunder, force open
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanHrunéptito be breaking
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanHrewp-to break, tear
10Proto-Indo-EuropeanHrew-to tear out, dig out, open, acquire

via English root

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrootThe part of a plant, generally underground, that...

Words derived from “root rot

Every word from Proto-Indo-European Hrew-
root rot — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer