Word Origin & History
showerO.E. scur "short fall of rain, fall of missiles or blows," from W.Gmc. *skuraz (cf. O.N. skur, O.S., O.H.G. scur, Ger. Schauer, Goth. skura, in skura windis "windstorm"), from base *skuro, from PIE base *kew-(e)ro- "north, north wind" (cf. L. caurus "northwest wind;" O.C.S. severu "north, north wind;"
EXPANDLith. siaurus "raging, stormy," siaurys "north wind," siaure "north"). Sense of "shower bath" first recorded 1851. The verb is from 1573. Meaning "large number of gifts bestowed on a bride" (1904, Amer.Eng. colloquial) later was extended to the party at which it happens (1926).
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