keel

{{11}}keel (n.) "lowest timber of a ship or boat," mid-14c., probably from a Scandinavian source, Cf. O.N. kjölr "keel," Dan. kjèl, Swed. köl, from P.Gmc. *keluz, of uncertain origin. Some etymologists say this is unconnected with the keel that means "a ship, barge," which also is the root of M.Du. kiel "ship," O.E. ceol "ship's prow," O.H.G. kiel, Ger. Kiel "ship," but the two words have influenced each other. Barnhart, however, calls them cognates. This other word is said to be from P.Gmc. *keula, from PIE *geul- "rounded vessel." Keel still is used locally in England and U.S. for "flat-bottomed boat," especially on the Tyne.

{{12}}keel (v.¹) 1838, American English, from KEEL (Cf. keel) (n.). To keel over (1876) is from the nautical image of a ship turning keel-up. Related: Keeled; keeling.

{{12}}keel (v.²) "to keep cool," from M.E. kelen, from O.E. celan "to cool," from col "cool" (see COOL (Cf. cool)). The form kele (from O.E. colian) was used by Shakespeare, but it later was assimilated with the adjective form into the modern verb cool. Cognate with Du. koelen, O.H.G. chuolen, Ger. kühlen.