ox

ox (n.) O.E. oxa (pl. oxan), from P.Gmc. *ukhson (Cf. O.N. oxi, O.Fris. oxa, M.Du. osse, Ger. Ochse, Goth. auhsa), from PIE *uks-en- "male animal," (Cf. Welsh ych "ox," M.Ir. oss "stag," Skt. uksa, Avestan uxshan- "ox, bull"), said to be from root *uks- "to sprinkle," related to *ugw- "wet, moist." The animal word, then, is lit. "besprinkler."