From Middle English membre, from Old French membre, from Latin membrum ("limb, body part"), from Proto-Indo-European *mḗms ("flesh"). Akin to Gothic 𐌼𐌹𐌼𐌶 ("meat, flesh"), Crimean Gothic menus.
Coexists with native Middle English lim, limb (from Old English lim ("limb, joint, main branch")), and displaced Middle English lith ("limb, joint, member") (from Old English liþ ("limb, member, join, tip")).