Bout
/baʊt/noun
A short period or episode of activity, struggle, or illness.
Did you know?English bout is a shortened form of about, and in older usage it could mean a turn, circuit, or round—so a “bout” is literally a passing round of action, not a timeless state.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*abūtan
“around, on the outside”
Old English
OE
abūtan
“about, around, on the outside”
Middle English
ME
aboute
“around; in circuit; also as a noun, a round or turn”
15th–16th Century
English
bout
“a turn, circuit, or round; later, a short spell or episode”
Modern English
English
bout
“a short period of illness, activity, or a contest”