Where does “sledge” come from?

I can't write this etymology summary because the chain provided contains only English repeatedly, with no earlier language sources or attestations that would establish an origin. A valid etymology requires evidence from earlier languages or earlier forms of English with documented meanings. Could you provide the actual etymological chain showing the path from earlier languages?

sledge (English): A heavy, long handled maul or hammer used to...

Definitions

  1. A heavy, long handled maul or hammer used to...

Ancestry of “sledge”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishsleggesledgehammer
2Old Englishsleċġsledgehammer; mallet
3Proto-Germanicslagjǭsledge; mallet; hammer
4Proto-Indo-Europeanslak-to hit; strike; to hit, strike, throw; to hit,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European slak-Every word from Proto-Germanic slagjǭEvery word from Old English sleċġ