Etymology Map
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Gosling

3 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means a young goose

Where does the word "gosling" come from? It comes from Old Norse gæslingr, passing through Old English before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
gæslingr
Old Norse · medieval
"gosling"
a young goose
2
Stage 2 of 3
gesling
Old English · 700s-1000s
"young goose"
the native form, reshaped by the Norse word
3
Stage 3 of 3
gosling
English · 1400s
"young goose"
remodelled on 'goose'
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Read the full story

Gosling’s story begins in Old Norse: gæslingr meant “gosling.” A young goose. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as gesling. The native form, reshaped by the Norse word. It reached English by 1400s as gosling. Remodelled on 'goose'. Today, gosling means a young goose.