Buoy
/bɔɪ/noun
A floating object anchored in water to mark a position or hazard.
Did you know?Buoy entered English through maritime Dutch and likely traces back to a Germanic root meaning a raised or protruding object, which is why it’s tied to things that stand up or float above the surface.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*baujaną
“to build, raise, or cause to grow”
Old Dutch / Middle Dutch
Dutch
boei
“a buoy, float, or fetter/handcuff”
Middle English
English
boye / boie
“a buoy or float used at sea”
16th Century
English
buoy
“a floating marker or support in water”
Modern English
English
buoy
“a floating object anchored to mark a location or danger”