Etymology Map
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Drink

3 stages from Proto-Germanic to English.

Today it means to take a liquid into the mouth and swallow it

Where does the word "drink" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic drinkaną, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
drinkaną
Proto-Germanic · ancient
"to drink"
German 'trinken' is a cousin
2
Stage 2 of 3
drincan
Old English · 700s-1000s
"to drink"
'drenċan', to make someone drink, gave 'drench'
3
Stage 3 of 3
drink
English · 1500s
"to drink"
'drunk' is its old past participle
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Read the full story

Drink’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: drinkaną meant “to drink.” German 'trinken' is a cousin. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as drincan. 'drenċan', to make someone drink, gave 'drench'. It reached English by 1500s as drink. 'drunk' is its old past participle. Today, drink means to take a liquid into the mouth and swallow it.