douth

English - English

Definition of douth in English English dictionary

a company, army, retinue

Alternative form of dought

(collectively) men, people

Etymology

() From Middle English douthe, duwethe (“body of retainers, people, might, dignity, worth”), from Old English duguþ (“manhood, host, multitude, troops”), from Proto-Germanic *dugunþō, *dugunþiz (“power, competency, notefulness”), from Proto-Germanic base *dug-, *daug- (“to be useful”), from Proto-Indo-European *dheughe- (“to be ready, be sufficient”). Cognate with Old Frisian duged (“power”), Old High German tugad, tugund (“virtue”), German Tugend, Swedish dygd. Related to dow, doughty.