Etymology Map
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Harness

3 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means a set of straps for a horse or person

Where does the word "harness" come from? It comes from Old Norse hernest, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
hernest
Old Norse · medieval
"army provisions"
an Old Norse word, 'herr' army plus 'nest' provisions
2
Stage 2 of 3
harneis
Old French · medieval
"armour, gear"
a knight's armour and equipment
3
Stage 3 of 3
harness
English · 1200s
"armour; horse gear"
came to mean mainly the straps of a draught horse
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Read the full story

Harness’s story begins in Old Norse: hernest meant “army provisions.” An Old Norse word, 'herr' army plus 'nest' provisions. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as harneis. A knight's armour and equipment. It reached English by 1200s as harness. Came to mean mainly the straps of a draught horse. Today, harness means a set of straps for a horse or person.