Wrestle
/ˈrɛs.əl/noun
To struggle physically or contend with force, especially in a grappling match.
Did you know?Wrestle comes from Old English *wrǣstlian*, tied to a Germanic root meaning to twist or turn, which is why its history is all about bodily struggle rather than sport.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wrastōną / *wrastlijaną
“to twist, struggle, or wrestle”
Old English
OE
wrǣstlian
“to wrestle, contend by grappling”
Middle English
ME
wrestlen
“to struggle physically; grapple”
Modern English
English
wrestle
“to engage in grappling or struggle physically”