An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To come, change, or grow to be.

Etymology (EN): M.E. becumen; O.E. becuman “happen, come about,” also “meet with, arrive;” akin to Du. bekomen, O.H.G. biqueman “obtain,” Ger. bekommen, Goth. biquiman; from be- a prefix denoting several meanings, and → come.

Etymology (PE): Šodan “to become, to go, to pass, to change,” from Mid.Pers. šudan, šaw- “to go;” Av. š(ii)auu-, šiyav- “to move, go,” šiyavati “goes,” šyaoθna- “activity; action; doing, working;” O.Pers. šiyav- “to go forth, set,” ašiyavam “I set forth;” cf. Skt. cyu- “to move to and fro, shake about; to stir,” cyávate “stirs himself, goes;” Gk. kinein “to move;” Goth. haitan “call, be called;” O.E. hatan “command, call;” PIE base *kei- “to move to and fro.”