An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Emergence of a particular rock-body, e.g. a stratium or vein, at the ground surface. Outcrops can be formed naturally or by human action. Stream erosion and highway construction can produce outcrops.

Etymology (EN): Noun use of crop out, from crop, from M.E., O.E. cropp “bird’s craw,” also “head or top of a sprout or herb;” → out.

Etymology (PE): Borunzad, literally “strike out,” from borun, birun,
→ out, + zad, zadan “to strike, beat,” from Mid.Pers. zatan, žatan; O.Pers./Av. jan-, gan- “to strike, hit, smite, kill” (jantar- “smiter”); cf.
Skt. han- “to strike, beat” (hantar- “smiter, killer”);
Gk. theinein “to strike;” L. fendere “to strike, push;” Gmc. *gundjo “war, battle;” PIE *g^when- “to strike, kill.”