Roak
/roʊk/noun
A Scots and dialectal word meaning to smoke, smoulder, or emit vapor; it can also refer to smoke or mist.
Did you know?Roak is related to the same old Germanic smoke vocabulary behind English “reek,” linking the word to the idea of vapor rising from burning or steaming matter.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*raukijaną
“To emit smoke or vapor; a reconstructed Germanic form associated with rising fumes.”
Old Norse
Old Norse
reykja
“To smoke or emit smoke.”
Middle English
English
roke
“Smoke, vapor, or mist; also to smoke or steam.”
Scots
Scots
roak
“To smoke, smoulder, or give off vapor; also smoke or mist.”
Modern English
English
roak
“A chiefly Scots or dialectal term for smoking, smouldering, or vapor.”