Galosh

Pronunciation

• IPA: /gəˈlɒʃ/

Origin

From Middle English galoche, from Old French galoche ("shoe with a wooden sole"), but further uncertain; three main theories exist:

• From Vulgar Latin *galopium, from Ancient Greek καλοπόδιον, diminutive of καλόπους (kalopous, "shoemaker's block"), compound of κᾶλον (kalon, "wood") and πούς (pous, "foot"). More at holt and foot.

Barnhart, Robert K., ed., Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology, H.W. Wilson Co., 1988.

• From Late Latin gallicula, diminutive of gallica (solea) ("Gallic (sandal)").

Klein, Dr. Ernest, A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language, Amsterdam: Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., 1971.

• From Old French galette ("flat round cake"), from galet ("pebble").

Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged, 2002.

Full definition of galosh

Noun

1. (British) A waterproof overshoe used to provide protection from rain or snow.
2. (US) A waterproof rubber boot, intended to be worn in wet or muddy conditions.

Synonyms

• (waterproof rubber boot) Wellington boot