Where does “småvilt” come from?

småvilt (Norwegian Nynorsk) comes from Norwegian Nynorsk små, from Old Norse smár, from Proto-Germanic smēhaz, from Proto-Indo-European smēk-, from Proto-Indo-European smē- — to rub; smear.

småvilt (Norwegian Nynorsk): small game

Definitions

  1. small game

Ancestry of “småvilt”, step by step

småvilt traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Norwegian Nynorsk små

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Norwegian Nynorsksmåsmall; plural of liten
2Old Norsesmársmall
3Proto-Germanicsmēhazsmall; little
4Proto-Indo-Europeansmēk-beard; chin
5Proto-Indo-Europeansmē-to rub; smear

via Norwegian Nynorsk vilt

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Norwegian Nynorskviltneuter singular of vill; game
2Middle Low Germanwilt—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smē- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēk- →Every word from Proto-Germanic smēhaz →