Etymology Map
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Haunt

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means to visit as a ghost; to frequent a place

Where does the word "haunt" come from? It comes from Frankish haimetan, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
haimetan
Frankish · ancient
"to house, bring home"
a Frankish word related to English 'home'
2
Stage 2 of 3
hanter
Old French · medieval
"to frequent"
English 'home' shares the Germanic root
3
Stage 3 of 3
haunt
English · 1200s
"to frequent"
ghosts 'haunting' a place dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Haunt’s story begins in Frankish: haimetan meant “to house, bring home.” A Frankish word related to English 'home'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as hanter. English 'home' shares the Germanic root. It reached English by 1200s as haunt. Ghosts 'haunting' a place dates from the 1500s. Today, haunt means to visit as a ghost; to frequent a place.