fume

Where does the word "fume" come from? It comes from Latin fumus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Fume’s story begins in Latin: fumus meant “smoke.” The root of 'fumigate' and 'perfume'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fum. Smoke and vapour. It reached English by 1300s as fume. 'fuming' with anger dates from the 1500s. Today, fume means gas or vapour with a strong smell.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fumus "smoke", the root of 'fumigate' and 'perfume'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval fum "smoke", smoke and vapour.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s fume "smoke", 'fuming' with anger dates from the 1500s.