Etymology Dictionary

WATER,  the fluid in seas and rivers.  (E.)   M.E. water, Chaucer, C. T. 402.—A.S. wæter, Grein, ii. 651. + Du. water. + G. wasser, O.H.G. wazar, wazzar.   β. From the Teut. type WATRA, water, Fick, iii. 284.   There is also a Teut. type WATAN, water, appearing in Icel. vatn, Dan. vand, Swed. vatten, Goth. wato (pl. watna), water.   Allied words are Russ. voda, Gk. ὕδωρ, Lat. unda, Lithuan. wandů, Skt. udan, water.   All from the ✔WAD, to wet, perhaps orig. to well up; see Wet.   Der. water, verb, A.S. wætrian, Gen. ii. 6, 10; water-ish, K. Lear, i. 1. 261; water-y, A.S. wæterig, Wright's Voc. i. 37, col. 2, 1. 26.   Also water-carriage, -clock, -closet; -colour, 1 Hen. IV, v. 1. 80; -course; -cress, M.E. water-kyrs, Wright's Voc. i. 190, col. 2; -fowl; -gall, a rainbow, Shak. Lucrece, 1588; -level; -lilly, M.E. water-lylle, Wright's Voc. i. 190, col. 2; -line, -logged, -man, -mark, -mill (Palsgrave), -pipe; -pot, Chaucer, C. T. 8166; -power, -proof, -shed (modern), -spout, -tight, -wheel, -work; &c., &c.