An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To penetrate or divide something, as with a sharp-edged instrument.

Etymology (EN): M.E. cutten, kytten, kitten; O.E. *cyttan, cognate with O.Swed. kotta “to cut;” O.N. kuti “little knife,” or from
O.Fr. couteau “knife.”

Etymology (PE): Boridan “to cut off;” Mid.Pers. brin-, britan, brinitan “to cut off,” brin “cut, delimitation, determined;” Av. (pairi-) brī- “to shave, shear;”
cf. Skt. bhrī- “to hurt, injure,” bhrinanti “they hurt.”