* Old English: *hǣlan*
* Proto-Germanic: *hailan*
The Proto-Germanic word *hailan* likely meant "to make whole" or "to cover". This sense of "making whole" is the core meaning of "heal", whether referring to physical injuries or emotional wounds.
It's interesting to note that the word "whole" itself is also related, with the Proto-Germanic root being *hōlaz*.
So, the word "heal" has been around for centuries, reflecting the human desire for restoration and wholeness.