Boot
/buːt/noun
A sturdy covering for the foot and lower leg, or the act of starting a computer.
Did you know?The English word boot for footwear is probably from Old French bote, and its exact deeper origin is uncertain, while the computer sense comes from the phrase bootstrapping, meaning to start something with its own resources.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
bōt
“A remedy, compensation, or repair; not the footwear sense.”
Middle English
ME
bote
“A covering for the foot and leg, borrowed from Old French.”
Old French
OF
bote
“A boot or stout shoe.”
Modern English
English
boot
“A sturdy shoe covering the foot and ankle or lower leg.”
Modern English
English
boot (computer)
“To start a computer system, from bootstrapping.”