- beleaguer
- 1580s, from Du. belegeren "to besiege," from be- "around" + legeren "to camp," from leger "bed, camp, army, lair," from P.Gmc. *leg-raz-, from PIE *legh-to- "lie" (see lie (v.2)). A word from the Flemish Wars. Spelling influenced by league. Related: Beleaguered.