An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. Water condensed onto grass and other objects near the ground, the temperatures of which have fallen below the dewpoint of the surface air due to radiational cooling during the night, but are still above freezing.
   
2. Moisture in small drops on a surface.

Etymology (EN): O.E. deaw, from P.Gmc. *dawwaz, O.H.G. tow, Gk. thein, “to run,” thoos “quick,” PIE base *dheu- “to run, flow” (cf. Pers. dav-, davidan “to run,” Skt. dhav- “to run, flow,” dhavati “flows, runs”).

Etymology (PE): Šabnam, from šab→ night + nam “moisture; dew; wet,” Mid.Pers. namb, nam, Av. napta- “moist,” nabas-câ “cloud,” nabah- “sky,” Skt. nábhas- “moisture, cloud, mist, sky,” Gk. nephos “cloud,” L. nebula “mist,” PIE base *nebhos- “moisture, cloud, mist.”