tuck

tuck · verb, noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*dewk-“to pull”
2. Proto-Germanic · derived from*teuh-
3. Middle Dutch · derived fromtucken“to tuck”
4. Old English · inherited fromtūcian“to torment, vex”
5. Middle English · inherited fromtuken
6. English todaytuck

From Middle English tuken, touken (“to torment, to stretch (cloth)”), from Old English tūcian (“to torment, vex”) and Middle Dutch tucken (“to tuck”), both from Proto-Germanic *teuh-, *teug- (“to draw, pull”) (compare also *tukkōną), from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to pull”). Akin to Old High German zucchen (“to snatch, tug”), zuchôn (“to jerk”), German Low German tuken (“to tug, pluck, grab and pull towards”), Old English tēon (“to draw, pull, train”). Doublet of touch.

tuck · noun²

1. Italian · derived fromstocco“a truncheon, a short sword”
2. Old French · derived fromestoc“rapier”
3. English todaytuck

From Old French estoc (“rapier”), from Italian stocco (“a truncheon, a short sword”). Doublet of estoc.

tuck · noun³

Compare tocsin.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• From 14ᵗʰc. To pull or gather up (an item of fabric).
• From 1580s. To push into a snug position; to place somewhere safe, or handy, or somewhat hidden.
• From 1780s. To eat; to consume.
• From late 14thC. An act of tucking; a pleat or fold.