Where does “stench” come from?

stench (Middle English) comes from Old English stenċ, from Proto-Germanic stankwiz, from Proto-Indo-European stengʷ- — to push.

stench (Middle English): A stench; a displeasing or repulsive smell;...

Definitions

  1. A stench; a displeasing or repulsive smell;...

Ancestry of “stench”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishstenċstench, odor, fragrance
2Proto-Germanicstankwizodor; fragrance; stench
3Proto-Indo-Europeanstengʷ-to push

Words derived from “stench”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European stengʷ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic stankwiz →Every word from Old English stenċ →