Word Origin & History
leaO.E. leah "open field, meadow," earlier læch, recorded in place names, from P.Gmc. *laukhaz (cf. O.H.G. loh, and probably also Flem. -loo, which forms the second element in Waterloo), from PIE *louquo- (cf. Skt. lokah "open space," L. lucus "grove," Lith. laukas "open field"), perhaps related to
*leuq- "to shine, be bright."