Middle English word gersum comes from Proto-Germanic *ga-, Proto-Indo-European *gherbh-, Proto-Germanic *arwaz, and later Proto-Germanic *garwaz (Ready, prepared.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *ga- | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Indicates association or togetherness; co-.. Indicates completeness or wholeness. In verbs, also indicates perfectivity (a finished action). |
| *gherbh- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *arwaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *garwaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Ready, prepared. |
| ġearu | Old English (ang) | |
| gersum | Middle English (enm) |