Middle English word befilen comes from Proto-Germanic *fūlijaną, and later Old English butan (Except for, but, unless Without, except.)
Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
---|---|---|
*fūlijaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | (transitive) To befoul; make dirty (intransitive) To become foul; rot; decay. |
butan | Old English (ang) | Except for, but, unless Without, except. |
befȳlan | Old English (ang) | |
fȳlan | Old English (ang) | |
befylan | Old English (ang) | To defile, befoul. |
defilen | Middle English (enm) |