gain Look up gain at Dictionary.com
late 15c. (n.), 1520s (v.), from M.Fr. gain, from O.Fr. gaaigne, from gaaignier "to gain," also "cultivate land," from Frank. *waidanjan "hunt, forage," also "graze, pasture," from P.Gmc. *wartho "hunting ground" (cf. Ger. weide "pasture, pasturage," O.N. veiğr "hunting"), from PIE *wei "to strive after." The original O.Fr. sense enfolded the notions of "profit from agriculture" and "booty, prey." Related: Gained; gaining.