endeavor

The story

1. Old French · derived fromdevoir
2. Middle French · derived from(se mettre) en devoir“(to make it) one's duty (to do), to endeavour (to do)”
3. Middle English · derived fromendevour
4. Middle English · derived fromendeveren“to make an effort”
5. English todayendeavor

The verb is from Middle English endeveren (“to make an effort”); the noun is from Middle English endevour, from the verb. Endeveren is from (putten) in dever (“(to put oneself) in duty”), from in + dever (“duty”), partially translating Middle French (se mettre) en devoir (de faire) (“(to make it) one's duty (to do), to endeavour (to do)”) (from Old French devoir, deveir (“duty”)).

First known use, by meaning

• 15th–17th c. To exert oneself.
• from 16th c. To attempt through application of effort (to do something); to try strenuously.
• 16th–17th c. To attempt (something).