Middle English word behoven comes from Old English butan (Except for, but, unless Without, except.), Proto-Indo-European *kh₂pyéti (To be grasping.), Old English *hōfian
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| butan | Old English (ang) | Except for, but, unless Without, except. |
| *kh₂pyéti | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | To be grasping. |
| *hōfian | Old English (ang) | |
| *bihafaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| behofian | Old English (ang) | To be needful to, necessary.. To have need of, need. |
| *bihōfą | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Necessity. |
| behōf | Old English (ang) | |
| behōfian | Old English (ang) | |
| behoven | Middle English (enm) |