Where does “start” come from?

Start comes from Middle English sterten, from Proto-Germanic stertaz, from Proto-Indo-European (s)ter-, a root meaning to move abruptly or turn.

start (English): The beginning of an activity; A sudden...

Definitions

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Middle English	stert	start; beginning; tail
2	Old English	steort	tail
3	Proto-West Germanic	*stert	—
4	Proto-Germanic	stertaz	tail
5	Proto-Indo-European	(s)terd-	—
6	Proto-Indo-European	(s)ter-	strong, firm, stiff, rigid; rigid, stiff; to...

start — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer