Frog
/frɒɡ/noun
A small tailless amphibian with long hind legs, or a device for holding a sword in its scabbard.
Did you know?“Frog” is one of those old Germanic animal words whose exact prehistory is murky, which is why it has a very ancient, almost primal feel rather than a neat, transparent “meaning” like many later borrowings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*frogo- / *frugjo-
“an early Germanic word for a frog or toad-like creature”
Old English
OE
frogga
“a frog”
Middle English
ME
frogge
“a frog”
Modern English
English
frog
“a frog; later also a fastening device or sword holder”