- shrink (v.)
- Old English scrincan (class III strong verb; past tense scranc, past participle scruncen), from Proto-Germanic *skrenkanan (cf. Middle Dutch schrinken), probably from PIE root *(s)ker- "to turn, bend." Originally with causal shrench (cf. drink/drench). The meaning "draw back, recoil" (c.1300) perhaps was suggested by the behavior of snails. Shrink-wrap is attested from 1961.
- shrink (n.)
- "psychiatrist," slang, first recorded 1966, from head-shrinker.