Lather
/ˈlæð.ər/noun
A frothy foam formed by soap and water, or to cover with such foam.
Did you know?The word is ancient Germanic, and its closest deep relatives include words for “foam” and “froth,” showing how early speakers linked cleansing with the violent, churning behavior of liquid.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leudʰ-
“to wash, bathe”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*lauþrō
“a lather, foam from washing”
Old English
English
lēaðor
“lather, foam or suds”
Middle English
English
lather
“foam or froth, especially from soap and water”
Modern English
English
lather
“soap foam; to cover or work into a foam”