Definition of the word cough

The origin of the word "cough" dates back to Old English and Germanic languages. The word "cough" is derived from the Old English word "cōcian," which means "to hack or spit." This Old English word is also related to the Modern German word "kuchen," meaning "to cough." In Middle English (circa 1100-1500 AD), the word "cough" developed into "coughen," which retained its original meaning. The spelling "cough" emerged in the 15th century, and it has remained relatively unchanged since then. Interestingly, the etymology of "cough" is thought to be related to the sound or action of coughing, rather than the actual sensation or cause of coughing. This suggests that the word may have evolved from a descriptive phrase or onomatopoeia, rather than a more abstract concept.