axle tooth

The story

1. Middle English · derived fromtothe“tooth”
2. Old Norse · derived fromjaxl“a jaw-tooth, grinder”
3. Middle English · inherited fromaxyltothe
4. English todayaxle tooth

From Middle English axyltothe, of North Germanic origin, from axyl, from Old Norse jaxl (“a jaw-tooth, grinder”) + Middle English tothe (“tooth”). Cognate with Scots assletuith, asseltuith (“molar, axletooth”). Compare also Danish axeltand (“molar, axletooth”), Swedish oxeltand (“molar, axletooth”).