- savage (adj.)
- c.1300, "wild, undomesticated, untamed" (of animals and places), from Old French sauvage, salvage "wild, savage, untamed," from Late Latin salvaticus, alteration of silvaticus "wild," literally "of the woods," from silva "forest, grove" (see sylvan). Of persons, the meaning "reckless, ungovernable" is attested from c.1400, earlier in sense "indomitable, valiant" (c.1300). Implications of ferocity are attested from 1570s, earlier of animals (c.1400).
- savage (n.)
- "wild person," 1580s, from savage (adj.).
- savage (v.)
- "to tear with the teeth, maul," 1880, from savage (adj.). Related: Savaged; savaging.