Etymology: Several distinct formations, ultimately from the Germanic root fleut- , flaut- , flot- (see fleet v.¹), seem to have coalesced. 1. Old English flot strong neuter (dative flote ) action or state of floating; the formally equivalent Old Norse flot has also the sense ‘scum, grease’ (see flot n.¹). 2. Old English flota weak masculine = Old Norse flote ship, boat, fleet. 3. In many of its senses the noun appears to have been a new formation on float v. 4. In some senses it may be an adoption of, or influenced by, the French flotte (Old French flote and flot ), verbal nouns < flotter to float v.Cognate words, with senses corresponding to some of those of float , are Old High German flôȥ (masculine) (Middle High German vlôȥ (masculine), modern German floss neuter) raft, buoy, fishing-net, also stream < Old Germanic *flauto-z ; and Old High German floȥȥa (Middle High German vloȥȥe , modern German flosse ) feminine, fin, swimming-bladder, cork float < Old Germanic *flotâ ; an Old English *flotu , corresponding to the latter, may possibly be the source of sense 8.

Etymology: Old English flotian = Middle Dutch vlôten , Old Norse flota < Old Germanic *flotôjan , < *flot- weak grade of root of *fleutan to float or flow: see fleet v.¹ The development of sense in Middle English was doubtless influenced by the synonymous Old French floter (modern French flotter), Spanish flotar, Italian fiottare < medieval Latin type *flottare, < Old Germanic *flotto- < the same root as English float.