Etymology Map
Back to all words

Harass

3 stages from Old French to English.

Today it means to subject to aggressive pressure

Where does the word "harass" come from? It comes from Old French harer, passing through French before entering English (1610s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
harer
Old French · medieval
"to set a dog on"
an Old French hunting cry 'hare!'
2
Stage 2 of 3
harasser
French · 1500s
"to tire out"
used of troops wearing down an enemy with repeated raids
3
Stage 3 of 3
harass
English · 1610s
"to wear out"
'harassment' at work dates from the 1900s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Harass’s story begins in Old French: harer meant “to set a dog on.” An Old French hunting cry 'hare!'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as harasser. Used of troops wearing down an enemy with repeated raids. It reached English by 1610s as harass. 'harassment' at work dates from the 1900s. Today, harass means to subject to aggressive pressure.