Where does “stench” come from?

Stench comes from Old English stenċ, from Proto-Germanic stankwiz, from Proto-Indo-European stengʷ-, a root meaning to emit a strong smell.

stench (English): a strong foul smell; a stink; A foul quality; A...

Definitions

  1. a strong foul smell; a stink; A foul quality; A...

Ancestry of “stench”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishstenchA stench; a displeasing or repulsive smell;...
2Old Englishstenċstench, odor, fragrance
3Proto-Germanicstankwizodor; fragrance; stench
4Proto-Indo-Europeanstengʷ-to push

Words derived from “stench

Every word from Proto-Indo-European stengʷ-Every word from Proto-Germanic stankwizEvery word from Old English stenċ
stench — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer