Dole
/doʊl/noun
To distribute something, especially money, food, or aid, in small amounts.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning “to divide,” and in English it developed alongside the idea of rationing, so its history is tied to power, allocation, and scarcity rather than generosity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*del-
“to split, divide”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*dailijaną
“to divide, share out”
Old English
OE
dǣlan
“to divide, distribute, share”
Middle English
ME
dolen
“to deal out, distribute”
Modern English
English
dole
“to give out in portions; a share or allotment”