team

team · noun, verb, interjection¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*dewk-“to pull, lead”
2. Proto-Germanic · derived from*taugijaną
3. Proto-Germanic · inherited from*taumaz“that which draws or pulls”
4. Proto-West Germanic · inherited from*taum
5. Old English · inherited fromtēam“child-bearing, offspring, brood, set of draught animals”
6. Middle English · inherited fromtem
7. English todayteam

From Middle English tem, teem, teme, from Old English tēam (“child-bearing, offspring, brood, set of draught animals”), from Proto-West Germanic *taum, from Proto-Germanic *taumaz (“that which draws or pulls”), from Proto-Germanic *taugijaną, *tugōną, *teuhōną, *teuhaną (“to lead, bring, pull, draw”), from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to pull, lead”). Cognate with Scots team, teem (“a chain, harness”), Saterland Frisian Toom (“bridle; breeding”), West Frisian team (“bridle, team”), Dutch toom (“bridle, reins, flock of birds”), German Low German Toom (“bridle”), German Zaum (“bridle”), Danish tømme (“rein”), Swedish töm (“leash, rein”). More at teem, tie, tow.

Team · proper noun²

Possibly of Brythonic origin, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European but the exact root is unclear, with suggestions including *temH- (“dark”), *temh₁- (“to cut”), and *teh₂- (“to melt, flow”).

Words from the same roots