Did you know that 'pummel' is actually French?

'Pummel' is a word borrowed from French 'pomel.'. The word entered the English language some time around 1548.

pummel [verb] [1548]

• pound

Meaning: pound beat.

Etymology: alteration of pommel.

Topics: Sports:MartialArts.

Origin: From Latin to French to English.

note: The word pummel is a variant of pommel which means a knob or rounded part. The word comes from the Old French pomel and ultimately from the Latin pomum - meaning apple referring to the round shape. The verb to pummel arose from the idea of striking repeatedly with a pommel or another thick object.

See 'pummel' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

See more loan words from 1500s.