abaft

The story

1. Old English · derived frombeæftan
2. Middle English · inherited fromobaft
3. English todayabaft

From Middle English obaft, baft, baften, from Old English beæftan; be (“by”) (modern English by) + æftan (“behind”) (modern English after). See also aft.

First known use, by meaning

• First attested around the late 15ᵗʰ century. Behind; toward the stern relative to some other object or position; aft of.
• First attested in the early 17ᵗʰ century. On the aft side; in the stern.
• Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the late 15ᵗʰ century. Backwards.