Word Origin & History
wood (n.)
O.E. wudu, earlier widu "tree, trees collectively, the substance of which trees are made," from P.Gmc. *widuz (cf. O.N. viðr, Dan., Swed. ved "tree, wood," O.H.G. witu "wood"), perhaps from PIE *widhu- "tree, wood" (cf. Welsh gwydd "trees," Gael. fiodh- "wood, timber," O.Ir. fid "tree, wood"). Wooden in the fig. sense of "expressionless and dull" is from 1566. Woodcut first recorded 1662; woodlouse is from 1611, so called from being found in old wood. Woodsy is from 1860; woodwind is first recorded 1876. Woodshed is attested from 1844. Woodwork "article made of wood" is first recorded 1650. Out of the woods "safe" is from 1792.