Where does “vasal” come from?

vasal (Middle Dutch) comes from Old French vassal, from Medieval Latin vassallus, from Latin vassus, from Gaulish wassos, from Proto-Celtic wāstos, from Proto-Indo-European h₁weh₂- — to leave, abandon, give out.

Ancestry of “vasal”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Frenchvassalvassal
2Medieval Latinvassallusmanservant, domestic, retainer
3Latinvassusvassal of vassals; servant
4Gaulishwassosyoung man, squire
5Proto-Celticwāstosempty
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁weh₂-to leave, abandon, give out
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₁weh₂-Every word from Proto-Celtic wāstosEvery word from Gaulish wassos