Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “rother” come from?

rother (English) comes from Middle English rother, from Old English rōþor, from Proto-Germanic rōþrą, from Proto-Indo-European h₁reh₁- — to row; to separate; loose, sparse, rare.

rother (English): A horned animal, especially an ox; A rudder

Definitions

  1. A horned animal, especially an ox; A rudder

Ancestry of “rother”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishrotherA rudder or till; a steering implement for a...
2Old Englishrōþoroar, rudder
3Proto-Germanicrōþrąoar; rudder
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁reh₁-to row; to separate; loose, sparse, rare
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₁reh₁- →