neep

noun

ˈnēp

chiefly Scotland

: turnip

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nepe, neep, going back to Old English (West Saxon) nǣp,(non-West Saxon) nēp, borrowed from Latin nāpus, of uncertain origin

Note: The substitution of Old English ǣ/ē for Latin ā must have taken place before West Germanic *ai became Old English ā. — Latin nāpus has on the basis of sound been compared with Greek nâpy "mustard," another plant with edible greens. The Greek word is most likely substratal, having a longer by-form sínāpi, which would result in nāp- if the first vowel were dropped and *snāp- became nāp-. R. Beekes (Etymological Dictionary of Greek) suggests pre-Greek *synāpV, with an initial consonant cluster with a palatalized element, which could give either sinap- or *snap-. Assuming a substratal foundation, the Latin word may ultimately have the same origin if the etymon was applied to plants with edible greens or tubers.