Where does “spraydrift” come from?

spraydrift (English) comes from English drift, from Middle English drift, from Old English drift, from Proto-Germanic driftiz, from Proto-Indo-European dʰreybʰ-, from Proto-Indo-European dʰer- — to support; to hold.

spraydrift (English): The unintentional diffusion of sprayed pesticide onto neighbouring land

Definitions

  1. The unintentional diffusion of sprayed pesticide onto neighbouring land

Ancestry of “spraydrift”, step by step

spraydrift traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English drift

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdriftMovement; that which moves or is moved; The act...
2Middle Englishdrift
3Old Englishdriftan act of driving (cattle, herds, etc.); movement
4Proto-Germanicdriftizdriving
5Proto-Indo-Europeandʰreybʰ-to drive, push
6Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-to support; to hold

via English spray

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsprayA fine, gentle, dispersed mist of liquid; A...
2Middle Dutchsprāien
3Proto-Germanicsprēwijanąto spray, sprinkle
4Proto-Indo-European(s)per-to strew, sow, sprinkle; to sow, sprinkle, strew;...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰreybʰ-Every word from Proto-Germanic driftiz
spraydrift — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer