O.E.
hus "dwelling, shelter, house," from P.Gmc.
*khusan (cf. O.N., O.Fris.
hus, Du.
huis, Ger.
Haus), of unknown origin, perhaps connected to the root of
hide (v.). In Goth. only in
gudhus "temple," lit. "god-house;" the usual word for "house" in Goth. being
razn. Meaning "family, including ancestors and descendants, especially if noble" is from c.1000. The legislative sense (1541) is transferred from the building in which the body meets. Meaning "audience in a theater" is from 1921. Zodiac sense is first attested c.1391. The verb meaning "give shelter to" is O.E.
husian (cognate with Ger.
hausen, Du.
huizen).
Household is first recorded 1382; for
housewife (c.1225) see
hussy. To
play house is from 1871; as suggestive of "have sex, shack up," 1968.
House arrest first attested 1936;
housewarming is from 1577;
houseboat is 1790.
On the house "free" is from 1889.
"And the Prophet Isaiah the sonne of Amos came to him, and saide vnto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not liue." [2 Kings xx.1, version of 1611]
[hous] 
), 1858–1938, U.S. diplomat.