boon

Where does the word "boon" come from? It comes from Old Norse bón, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Boon’s story begins in Old Norse: bón meant “prayer, request.” A prayer or request. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as bone. A petition, then the favour granted in answer to it. It reached English by 1500s as boon. Came to mean any blessing or benefit. Today, boon means a thing that is helpful or beneficial.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval bón "prayer, request", a prayer or request.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1100s bone "request, favour", a petition, then the favour granted in answer to it.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s boon "blessing", came to mean any blessing or benefit.