ean

Meaning

Verb

• To bring forth young; to yean.

Origin

• From Middle English enen, from Old English ēanian ("to yean, bring forth young, bring forth lambs"), from Proto-Germanic *aunōną ("to bring forth lambs").
• An alternate etymology derives the Old English word from a corruption of Old English ēacnian ("to add, increase, be enlarged, be augmented, become pregnant, conceive, bring forth, produce"), from ēacen, from ēaca, from Proto-Germanic *aukô ("increase"), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewg- ("to increase"). More at eke.