Where does “rudderfish” come from?

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

rudderfish (English): Any of various unrelated fish that have the habit...

Definitions

  1. Any of various unrelated fish that have the habit...

Ancestry of “rudderfish”, step by step

rudderfish traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English rudder

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrudderAn underwater vane used to steer a vessel. The...
2Middle EnglishrotherA rudder or till; a steering implement for a...
3Old Englishrōþoroar, rudder
4Proto-Germanicrōþrąoar; rudder
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁reh₁-to row; to separate; loose, sparse, rare

via English Fish

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishFishThe constellation and zodiacal sign Pisces
2Middle EnglishfischAn animal that inhabits the water or the meat of...
3Old Englishfisċfish
4Proto-West Germanicfiskfish
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₁reh₁- →Every word from Proto-Germanic rōþrą →Every word from Old English rōþor →