Harry
/ˈhæri/noun
To raid, ravage, or harass; also a male given name.
Did you know?The verb *harry* is ancient Germanic warfare language, and its cousin *her* is the same root that gave English *army*, *harrow*, and *harbinger* through the idea of an armed host.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*harjaną
“to harass, devastate, make war on”
Old English
OE
hergian
“to ravage, plunder, make war on”
Middle English
ME
herren / harien
“to raid, harass, lay waste”
16th Century
English
harry
“to harass or ravage repeatedly”
Modern English
English
harry
“to persistently attack, trouble, or annoy”