moist

moist · adjective, noun¹

1. Latin · derived frommustum“unfermented or partially fermented grape juice or wine, must”
2. Latin · derived frommūcidus“mouldy, musty”
3. Old French · derived frommoiste
4. Middle French · derived frommoiste
5. Anglo-Norman · derived frommoist
6. Middle English · inherited frommoist
7. English todaymoist

The adjective is derived from Middle English moist, moiste [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman moist, moiste, moste, Middle French moiste, and Old French moiste, muste (“damp, moist, wet”) (modern French moite); further etymology uncertain, perhaps a blend of a Late Latin variant of Latin mūcidus (“mouldy, musty”) + a Late Latin derivative of Latin mustum (“unfermented or partially fermented grape juice or wine, must”). The noun is derived from the adjective.

moist · verb²

1. Middle English · inherited frommoist
2. Old French · derived frommoiste
3. Old French · derived frommoistir“to make moist or wet; to become moist or wet”
4. Middle French · derived frommoistir
5. Anglo-Norman · derived frommuster“to make moist or wet”
6. Middle English · inherited frommoisten
7. English todaymoist

From Middle English moisten, moist, moiste (“to make moist or wet; to soak in liquid; to become moist or wet; to provide with moisture or water; to satisfy thirst with liquor or water, slake”) [and other forms], and then either: * from Anglo-Norman muster (“to make moist or wet”), Middle French moistir, and Old French moistir (“to make moist or wet; to become moist or wet”) (compare enmoistir; modern French moitir), from Old French moiste, muste (“damp, moist, wet”) (see etymology 1) + -ir (suffix forming infinitives of second conjugation verbs); or * from Middle English moist, moiste (adjective) (see etymology 1), though the adjective is first attested later.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. Characterized by the presence of moisture; not dry; slightly wet; damp.
• from 14th c. Of eyes: wet with tears; tearful; also (obsolete), watery due to some illness or to old age.
• from 14th c. Of a climate, the weather, etc.: damp, humid, rainy.
• from 20th c. Of the vagina: sexually lubricated due to sexual arousal; of a woman: sexually aroused, turned on.
• from 14th c. Characterized by the presence of some fluid such as mucus, pus, etc.
• from 14th c. Pertaining to one of the four essential qualities formerly believed to be present in all things, characterized by wetness; also, having a significant amount of this quality.
• from 14th or earlier–17th c. Fluid, liquid, watery.
• a. 14th – 18th c. Bringing moisture or rain.