cosset

The story

1. Old English · inherited fromcotsǣta“cottager”
2. Middle English · inherited fromcotsete
3. English todaycosset

Perhaps from Middle English cotsete, from Old English cotsǣta (“cottager”), from cot (“cottage”) (Modern English cot (“cottage”) (archaic)) + -sǣta (“-sitter”); compare coscet. Compare German Hauslamm (literally “house lamb”), Italian casiccio.

First known use, by meaning

• from 1650s To treat like a pet; to overly indulge.
• from 1570s A pet, usually a pet lamb.
• from 1590s Someone indulged or cosseted.