Doze
/doʊz/noun
To sleep lightly or briefly; to be in a semi-sleeping state.
Did you know?English doze is historically linked to a Germanic family of words meaning to stun, make dull, or become drowsy, so the word’s oldest vibe was less “nap” and more “mind dimming.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*dūsijaną
“to be stupid, dull, or senseless; to become drowsy”
Old English
OE
dāsian
“to become dizzy or foolish; to be stupefied”
Middle English
ME
doosen
“to become drowsy or to fall into a light sleep”
16th Century
English
doze
“to slumber lightly or be in a drowsy state”
Modern English
English
doze
“to sleep lightly or briefly”