English

keyguard

From key + guard.

A compound of key + guard

Proto-West Germanic *kaiju

Old English cǣġ ‘key’

Middle English keye ‘a key’

English key

Proto-Germanic *wardāną ‘to guard, protect’

…

Early Medieval Latin wardō

Old French guarder ‘to protect, guard’

Old French guarde ‘protection; guard’

Middle English garde ‘guardianship’

English guard

Today it means

noun A plate or shield with a set of holes that fits over a keyboard.

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

Etymograph / keyguard