Debauch
/dɪˈbɔːtʃ/noun
To lead someone into excessive indulgence or moral corruption; also, a period of wild excess.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning “to go out” or “march out,” and in French it developed into the idea of being led away from discipline into excess.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂u-
“to shine, appear; later related to notions of brightness and visible movement in some descendants”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*balkaną
“to beam, ridge, or balk; a separate Germanic development often linked in etymological discussion to obstruction or projection”
Old French
Old French
desbauchier
“to lead astray, corrupt, or entice away from proper conduct”
Middle English
English
debauchen
“to corrupt, seduce, or lead into vice”
Modern English
English
debauch
“to indulge in sensual pleasures to excess; to corrupt morally”