English

greencoat

green + coat

A compound of green + coat

Proto-Indo-European *gʰreh₁- ‘to grow’

…

Proto-Germanic *grōniz

Proto-West Germanic *grōnī

Old English grēne

Middle English grene

English green

Proto-Germanic *kuttô ‘cowl, woolen cloth, coat’

Latin cotta ‘undercoat, tunic’

Old French cote ‘outer garment with sleeves’

Middle English cote ‘coat’

English coat

Today it means

noun A pupil attending any of certain charity schools where green coats were worn.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / greencoat