Etymology: < steep v.¹

Etymology: Old English stéap , corresponding to Old Frisian stâp , Middle High German *stouf (as noun with the sense ‘steep, declivity’, in the proper name Hohenstaufen ) < Germanic type *staupo- , < Germanic root *steup- : staup- : stūp- : see stoop v.¹

Etymology: Of difficult etymology. On the assumption that (notwithstanding the late date at which it is recorded) the verb represents an Old English *stíepan , *stépan , it would be the formal equivalent of Swedish stöpa , Danish støbe , Norwegian støypa , to steep (seeds, barley for malting) < Germanic type *staupjan , perhaps < *staupo-m (Old English stéap , Old Norse staup , stoup n.) vessel for liquor. Compare Norwegian setja korn i staup = to put corn in steep (see steep n.¹). The modern Scandinavian words cited coincide in form with a verb meaning to cast down, to cast (metals), to run (candles, etc.) into a mould, which descends from Old Norse støypa of the same meaning, a causative of Old Norse stúpa (once), Swedish stupa to stoop v.¹ It is phonologically impossible that, as is usually supposed, the English word can be < Old Norse støypa: and even if it be referred to an Old English *stíepan corresponding to the Old Norse verb, the development of sense appears less natural on this view than on that suggested above.

Etymology: < steep adj.