Where does “goal” come from?

goal (French) comes from English goal, from Middle English gol, from Old English gāl, from Basque gailu, from Proto-Germanic gailō, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰēy- — to yawn, gape; to go.

goal (French): goalkeeper especially in soccer and polo; target...

Definitions

  1. goalkeeper especially in soccer and polo; target...

Ancestry of “goal”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgoalA result that one is attempting to achieve; In...
2Middle Englishgolboundary, limit
3Old Englishgālobstacle, barrier, marker; wanton; wicked; bad;...
4Basquegailudevice
5Proto-Germanicgailōa gap; crevice; chasm; ravine
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵʰēy-to yawn, gape; to go
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰēy- →Every word from Proto-Germanic gailō →Every word from Basque gailu →