Where does “bawm” come from?
bawm (Middle Welsh) comes from Middle English bawme, from French Baumé, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον, from Hebrew בושם, from Proto-Semitic *buśm-.
Ancestry of “bawm”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | bawme | The aromatic resin of trees of the genus Commiphora; balsam |
| 2 | French | Baumé | a French family name |
| 3 | Old French | basme | — |
| 4 | Latin | balsamum | balsam (substance or tree); balm |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | βάλσαμον | Arabian balsam tree; balsam, the fragrant oil... |
| 6 | Hebrew | בושם | perfume |
| 7 | Proto-Semitic | *buśm- | — |