Waders
/ˈweɪ.dərz/noun
Waterproof boots or trousers worn for standing or walking in water, or people or birds that wade.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning “to go” or “to make one’s way,” so even this humble word carries the energy of crossing from one realm to another.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wedʰ-
“to go, proceed”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wadaną
“to go, wade”
Old English
OE
wadan
“to go, advance, wade”
Middle English
ME
waden
“to wade, walk through water or mud”
18th Century
English
wader
“one who wades; later, a bird that wades”
19th Century
English
waders
“waterproof boots or trousers for wading”