Harrowed
/ˈhær.oʊd/noun
Deeply distressed, tormented, or troubled.
Did you know?The word is tied to Old English *hergian*? No—its real history comes from *harrow* as a farming tool, and the verb’s emotional meaning grew from the brutal image of being raked over and over.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
hergian
“to harry, ravage, or lay waste”
Middle English
ME
harowen / harwen
“to rake or break up soil with a harrow”
14th Century
English
harwen / harrowen
“to tear up or disturb; later, to torment or vex”
16th Century
English
harrowed
“deeply distressed; mentally tormented”
Modern English
English
harrowed
“filled with anguish or severe distress”