Definition of the word curdle

The word "curdle" has its roots in Old English. It comes from the Proto-Germanic word "*kurizdan" which means "to thicken" or "to change shape". This Proto-Germanic word is also the source of the modern German word "kurdeln" which means "to curdle" or "to thicken". The Old English word "curdian" or "curdlan" meant "to thicken" or "to coagulate", and it was often used to describe the process of curdling milk or other liquids. From Middle English, the word "curdle" evolved to primarily refer to the process of curdling milk or cream, where the liquid separates into curds and whey. Throughout its history, the word "curdle" has been used in various contexts, including cooking, biology, and even idiomatic expressions. Today, the word is still used to describe the process of curdling milk, but it has also taken on figurative meanings, such as something becoming cloudy or unclear.