Where does “neat” come from?

neat (Middle English) comes from Old English nēat, from Proto-Germanic nautą, from Proto-Indo-European newd- — to seize; grasp; use; to grasp, seize, use; to...

Ancestry of “neat”, step by step

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Old English	nēat	cattle, property; animal, beast, ox, cow, cattle
2	Proto-Germanic	nautą	benefit; profit; foredeal; possession; livestock;...
3	Proto-Indo-European	newd-	to seize; grasp; use; to grasp, seize, use; to...

Every word from Proto-Indo-European newd- →

neat — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer