O.E.
tom, tam "domesticated, docile," from P.Gmc.
*tamaz (cf. O.N.
tamr, O.S., O.Fris., M.L.G., M.Du.
tam, O.H.G.
zam, Ger.
zahm "tame," Goth.
tamjan "to tame"), from PIE
*deme- "to constrain, to force, to break (horses)" (cf. Skt.
damayati "tames;" Pers.
dam "a tame animal;" Gk.
daman "to tame, subdue,"
dmetos "tame;" L.
domare "to tame, subdue;" O.Ir.
damnaim "I tie up, fasten, I tame, subdue"). Possible ulterior connection with PIE
*dem- "house, household" (see
domestic). Meaning "spiritless, weak, dull" is recorded from 1602. The verb is M.E.
teme, from O.E.
temian "make tame;" form altered 14c. by infl. of the adj.