boast etymology

Etymology:

• Old English: boastan ("to brag, threaten")
• Proto-West Germanic: bōstijaną ("to brag, boast")
• Proto-Germanic: bauðstijaną ("to announce, proclaim")
• Proto-Indo-European: *bʰaudʰ- ("to proclaim, make known")

Meaning:

• To speak or write with excessive pride or self-satisfaction about one's achievements, qualities, or possessions.
• To brag.

Origin:

The word "boast" originated from the Old English verb "boastan," which meant "to brag" or "threaten." It is believed to be related to the Proto-West Germanic verb bōstijaną, which also meant "to brag" or "boast." This verb, in turn, is thought to have derived from the Proto-Germanic verb bauðstijaną, meaning "to announce" or "proclaim."

The Proto-Germanic verb bauðstijaną is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰaudʰ-, which means "to proclaim" or "make known." This root is also found in other words related to speaking and language, such as "baud" (a rate of data transfer) and "bid" (to offer or request something).

Over time, the meaning of "boast" in English shifted from "to announce" or "proclaim" to "to brag" or "speak excessively about one's achievements." This shift is likely due to the influence of the verb "boastful," which was first used in the 14th century to describe someone who is prone to bragging.

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