Pouvoir etymology

French

French word pouvoir comes from Latin possum (I am able, can.)

Etymology of pouvoir

Detailed word origin of pouvoir

Dictionary entry Language Definition
possum Latin (lat) I am able, can.
*potēre Vulgar Latin (la-vul)
*potere Vulgar Latin (la-vul)
podir Old French (fro) (very early Old French).
povoir Middle French (frm) Power (ability, capability). Power (authority, right, permission) Can; be able to.
pouvoir French (fr) (countable, or, uncountable) power, a power.. (legal) power of attorney. Authority Can, to be able to. May.