Where does “coy” come from?

coy (Spanish) comes from Dutch kooi, from Middle Dutch coye, from Latin cavea, from Latin cavus, from Proto-Italic kawos, from Proto-Indo-European ḱowh₁ós, from Proto-Indo-European ḱewh₁- — to swell; to be strong.

coy (Spanish): a type of hammock made of sailcloth used as a makeshift bunk

Definitions

  1. a type of hammock made of sailcloth used as a makeshift bunk

Ancestry of “coy”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchkooicage; bunk
2Middle Dutchcoye—
3Latincaveahollow, cavity; cage, den, enclosure, stall,...
4Latincavushollow, concave; excavated, channeled;...
5Proto-Italickawos—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanḱowh₁óshollow
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱewh₁-to swell; to be strong
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱewh₁- →
coy — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer