Where does “swæslæcan” come from?

swæslæcan (Old English) comes from Old English læcan, from Proto-Germanic laikijaną, from Proto-Germanic laikaną, from Proto-Indo-European leyǵ- — to bind, tie.

swæslæcan (Old English): to flatter, talk up; cajole, coax

Definitions

  1. to flatter, talk up; cajole, coax

Ancestry of “swæslæcan”, step by step

swæslæcan traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Old English læcan

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishlæcanto move quickly, spring, leap; whip, flicker
2Proto-Germaniclaikijaną
3Proto-Germaniclaikanąto jump, play, move, swing about
4Proto-Indo-Europeanleyǵ-to bind, tie

via Old English swǣs

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishswǣsone's own, dear
Every word from Proto-Indo-European leyǵ-Every word from Proto-Germanic laikanąEvery word from Proto-Germanic laikijaną