Middle English word rewe comes from Proto-Indo-European *krows-, Proto-Indo-European *reyk-, Proto-Indo-European *krewh₂-, and later Proto-Germanic *hriwwiz (Sad, sorrowful, regretful, penitant.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *krows- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *reyk- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *krewh₂- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *hrewwōn | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *hriwwiz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Sad, sorrowful, regretful, penitant. |
| *raih- | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Streak; row. |
| *hrawaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Raw, uncooked. |
| hreow | Old English (ang) | Grief. Repentance. |
| *raigwō | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| rāw | Old English (ang) | |
| hrēow | Old English (ang) | |
| rawe | Middle English (enm) |