expugn

The story

1. Latin · derived fromexpugnō“to take by storm”
2. Old French · derived fromexpugner
3. Middle English · inherited fromexpugnen
4. English todayexpugn

From Middle English expugnen, from Old French expugner, from Latin expugnō (“to take by storm”), from ex- + pugnō (“fight”), from pugnus (“fist”).

First known use, by meaning

• 15th–17th c. To take by storm; capture.