Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “vulva” come from?

Vulva comes from Latin vulva, derived from Proto-Indo-European wel-, a root meaning to turn or roll.

vulva (English): The external female sexual organs, collectively;...

Definitions

  1. The external female sexual organs, collectively;...

Ancestry of “vulva”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinvulvavulva; womb; vocative singular of vulva
2Latinvolvawomb, female sexual organ
3LatinvolvoI roll, tumble
4Proto-Indo-Europeanwelw-hair, wool, grass, ear , forest; to turn, wind,...
5Proto-Indo-EuropeanwēlH-—
6Proto-Indo-EuropeanwelH-to turn, to wind

Words derived from “vulva”

  • vulvar
  • vulval
  • vulvovaginal
  • vulvovaginitis
  • vulvodynia
  • vulvectomy
  • vulvitis
  • vulvic
  • vulvoplasty
  • vulviform
  • perivulval
  • rectovulvar
  • vulvalike
  • vulvaed
  • vulvouterine
  • vulvo-
  • vaginovulvar
  • vulvo-uterine
Every word from Proto-Indo-European welH- →