vend

Where does the word "vend" come from? It comes from Latin venum dare, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Vend’s story begins in Latin: venum dare meant “to give for sale.” To give for sale, from venum (for sale) and dare (to give). Within Latin, it grew into vendere by ancient. The root of 'vendor'; coin-operated vending machines date from 1880s London. It reached English by 1600s as vend. Settled as the English word for offering goods for sale. Today, vend means to sell goods, especially in a small way or from a machine.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient venum dare "to give for sale", to give for sale, from venum (for sale) and dare (to give).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient vendere "to sell", the root of 'vendor'; coin-operated vending machines date from 1880s London.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s vend "to offer goods for sale", settled as the English word for offering goods for sale.