- cow (n.)
- O.E. cu, from P.Gmc. *kwon, earlier *kwom, from PIE *gwous (cf. Skt. gaus, Gk. bous, L. bov-), perhaps ult. imitative of lowing (cf. Sumerian gu, Chinese ngu, ngo "ox"). In Gmc., of females only; in other languages, of either gender.
- cow (v.)
- 1605, probably from O.N. kuga "oppress," of unknown origin, but perhaps having something to do with cow (n.) on the notion of easily herded.