English

helpfile

From help + file.

A compound of help + file

Proto-Indo-European *ḱelb- ‘to help’

…

Proto-Germanic *helpō ‘help, aid’

Proto-West Germanic *helpu

Old English help ‘help, aid, assistance’

Middle English help

English help

Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰiH-(s-)lo- ‘sinew’

Proto-Italic *fī(s)lom

Latin fīlum ‘thread’

Old French fil ‘thread’

English file

Today it means

noun A computer file explaining how to use the associated software.

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

Etymograph / helpfile