Etymology Dictionary

KEELSON, KELSON,  a piece of timber in a ship next to the keel.  (Scand.)   'Keelson, the second piece of timber, which lies right over the keel;' Kersey, ed. 1715.   Spelt kelsine, Chapman, tr. of Homer, Iliad, i. 426.—Swed. kölsvin, the keelson; Dan. kjölsviin; Norweg. kjölsvill (Aasen). + G. kielschwein, a keelson.   β. For the former syllable, see Keel.   The latter syllable wholly agrees, in appearance, with Swed. svin, Dan. sviin, G. schwein, which = E. swine (see Swine).   But this can hardly be the original sense.    A better sense is given by Norweg. kjölsvill, where svill answers to G. schwelle, E. sill; see Sill.   The suffix svill, not being understood, was corrupted (1) to swine, and (2) to son.