Old English:
* It ultimately comes from the Old English word "flōwer," meaning "bloom" or "blossom."
* This word is related to the Old Frisian "blōwer," and the Old High German "blōm."
Proto-Germanic:
* These words are all descendants of a Proto-Germanic word "blōma," which likely meant "bloom" or "flower."
Indo-European Roots:
* Tracing further back, the Proto-Germanic word "blōma" is related to the Proto-Indo-European word "bʰleh₂-," which is thought to have meant "to bloom" or "to blossom."
In summary:
The word "flower" has a long and winding path, originating from the ancient Proto-Indo-European language and evolving through Germanic languages before finally becoming the word we know today. It's a testament to how words can change and adapt over time, reflecting the development of languages and cultures.