Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “windsurfing” come from?

Windsurfing, a sport combining a sailboard with wind propulsion, derives from wind and surfing, where wind traces to Old English windan, Middle English winde, and Proto-Germanic windaną, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂weh₁-, meaning to blow or move.

windsurfing (English): A marine sport in which one stands on a floating...

Definitions

  1. A marine sport in which one stands on a floating...

Ancestry of “windsurfing”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwindReal or perceived movement of atmospheric air...
2EnglishfarmA place where agricultural and similar activities...
3Middle Englishferme—
4Old Frenchfermelease; the land leased; farm
5Medieval LatinfermaAlternative form of firma
6LatinFirma—
7LatinFirmus—
8Proto-Italicfermos—
9Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-mo-sholding
10Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-to support; to hold
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer- →