† mirtlev.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps related to Middle Dutch mortelen or morzelen , both in sense ‘to crush’ (although probably ultimately etymologically distinct) and to the Middle English prefixed forms below, although a connection with these words would leave the stem vowel unexplained. Perhaps compare also murl v.Perhaps compare (with to- prefix² and different stem vowels) Middle English tomortlen and tomurten (perhaps both borrowed from prefixed forms in a continental Germanic language; compare Middle High German zermürsen):a1400 Siege Jerusalem (Laud) (1932) 235 In her temple bytidde tenful þynges: Þe mahound & þe mametes to-mortled to peces & al to-crased.c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 150 Þen hurled on a hepe þe helme and þe sterne; Furst to-murte mony rop and þe mast after.