An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

One that receives or entertains guests especially in his own home. → host galaxy.

Etymology (EN): M.E. (h)oste, from O.Fr. hoste “guest, host,” from L. hospitem (nom. hospes) “guest, host,” lit. “lord of strangers,” from hostis “stranger.”

Etymology (PE): Mizbân “host,” from Mid.Pers. mezdbân “host,” from mêzd “offering, meal,” Mod.Pers. miz “guest; offering; meal” + -bân a suffix denoting “keeper, guard,” sometimes forming agent nouns or indicating relation (e.g. keštibân “sailor;” bâdbân “a sail;” mehrabân “affectionate;” mizbân “host;” âsiyâbân “a miller;” bâqbân “gardener”). This suffix derives from O.Pers. -pāvan- (as in xšaça.pāvan- “satrap”); Av. -pāna- (as in pəšu.pāna- “keeping the passage, bridge guard”), from Proto-Iranian *pa- “to prtotect, keep,” → observe,

• suffix *-van-; cf. Skt. -pāna- (as in tanū.pāna- “protection of the body”).