gasp

Where does the word "gasp" come from? It comes from Old Norse geispa, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Gasp’s story begins in Old Norse: geispa meant “to yawn.” 'last gasp' dates from the 1500s. It reached English by 1300s as gasp. Narrowed to mean a sudden sharp breath from shock or exertion. Today, gasp means to catch one's breath suddenly, especially from shock, pain, or effort.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval geispa "to yawn", 'last gasp' dates from the 1500s.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s gasp "to catch one's breath suddenly", narrowed to mean a sudden sharp breath from shock or exertion.