ettle

ettle · verb, noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*ok-“to think, intend, purpose”
2. Proto-Germanic · derived from*ahtalōną“to strive, think”
3. Old Norse · derived fromætla“to think, mean, suppose, intend, purpose”
4. Middle English · derived frometlien
5. English todayettle

From Middle English etlien, atlien, from Old Norse ætla (“to think, mean, suppose, intend, purpose”), from Proto-Germanic *ahtalōną (“to strive, think”), from Proto-Indo-European *ok- (“to think, intend, purpose”). Cognate with regional Swedish ättla (“to count, reckon”). Some Middle English forms perhaps remodelled after Old English eaht.

ettle · verb²

A variation of addle (“to earn”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 12th c. To propose, intend.
• from 12th c. To direct one's course, to head.
• from 14th c. To direct (something) to or at someone or something; to aim at.
• from 16th c. To strive, to try.