Where does “vassal” come from?

vassal (Middle English) 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.

vassal (Middle English): A feudal retainer, who is obliged to render military service

Definitions

  1. A feudal retainer, who is obliged to render military service

Ancestry of “vassal”, 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

Words derived from “vassal”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₁weh₂- →Every word from Proto-Celtic wāstos →Every word from Gaulish wassos →