Etymology

mulch

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Today it means: Any material used to cover the top layer of soil to protect, insulate, or decorate it, or to discourage weeds or retain moisture. Full definition →

Middle English melsche ← Old English melsċ ← Proto-Germanic *mili
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The story

  1. Proto-Germanic · inherited from*mili“honey”
  2. Old English · inherited frommelsċ
  3. Middle English · inherited frommelsche
  4. English todaymulch

Probably from Middle English melsche, molsh (“soft”), from Old English melsċ, milisċ (“mellow; mild; sweet”, literally “honeyed”), probably from Proto-Germanic *mili (“honey”). Compare Icelandic milska (“a honeyed beverage”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.