Middle English word halsien comes from Proto-Indo-European *kei-, Proto-Indo-European *kailu-, Proto-Indo-European *kóh₂ilus, Proto-Indo-European *kóylos, Proto-Indo-European *koyl-, Proto-Indo-European *kóh₂ilos, Proto-Germanic - isōną, and later Proto-Germanic *hailisōną (To greet; salute. To inquire; beseech.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *kei- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *kailu- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *kóh₂ilus | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *kóylos | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *koyl- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *kóh₂ilos | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| - isōną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *koil- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *hailzą | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *hailisōną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | To greet; salute. To inquire; beseech. |
| hālsian | Old English (ang) | |
| halsen | Middle English (enm) |