Where does “lean” come from?

lean (West Frisian) comes from Old Frisian lān, from Proto-West Germanic laun, from Proto-Germanic launą, from Proto-Indo-European leh₂w- — to seize, gain; benefit, prize.

lean (West Frisian): wage, wages, salary; reward

Definitions

  1. wage, wages, salary; reward

Ancestry of “lean”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Frisianlān—
2Proto-West Germaniclaunreward, credit, booty
3Proto-Germaniclaunąreward, credit, booty
4Proto-Indo-Europeanleh₂w-to seize, gain; benefit, prize
Every word from Proto-Indo-European leh₂w- →Every word from Proto-Germanic launą →Every word from Proto-West Germanic laun →