Where does “Muff” come from?
Muff (German) comes from Dutch muffel, from Old French moufle, from Medieval Latin muffula, from Frankish molfell, from Middle High German mol, from Old High German mol, from Proto-Germanic mulô, from Proto-Indo-European molh₂-o- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.
Muff (German): muff; stench, mouldy smell
Definitions
- muff; stench, mouldy smell
Ancestry of “Muff”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dutch | muffel | — |
| 2 | Old French | moufle | mitten |
| 3 | Medieval Latin | muffula | a muff; muff |
| 4 | Frankish | molfell | soft garment made of hide |
| 5 | Middle High German | mol | — |
| 6 | Old High German | mol | — |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | mulô | muzzle |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | molh₂-o- | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | melh₂- | to grind, to crush |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | mel- | soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |