Where does “skunk” come from?

Skunkweed is a compound of English skunk and English weed, with skunk ultimately derived from Algonquian languages.

skunk (English): Any of various small mammals, of the family...

Definitions

  1. Any of various small mammals, of the family...

Ancestry of “skunk”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Abenakisegôgwskunk
2Proto-Algonquianšeka·kwaskunk
3Proto-Algonquianšek-to urinate

Words derived from “skunk

Every word from Proto-Algonquian šek-
skunk — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer