1388, "a sledge used for transport of heavy goods," from M.Du.
sledde "sled," from P.Gmc.
*slido (cf. O.S.
slido, O.N.
sleði, Dan.
slæde, Swed.
släde, O.H.G.
slito, Ger.
Schlitten "sledge"), from the same root as O.E.
slidan (see
slide). In ref. to a sledge used for travel or recreation, it is attested from 1586, now mainly Amer.Eng. The verb meaning "ride on a sled" is first attested 1780.