English word origin

Etymology of jib

Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see below).

5 source sectionsExtended source reportWiktionary original ↗

In this entry · 5 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Source etymology 1

Original entry ↗

noun

A triangular staysail set forward of the foremast. In a sloop (see image) the basic jib reaches back roughly to the level of the mast. · Any of a variety of specialty triangular staysails set forward of the foremast.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see below).

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Source etymology 2

Original entry ↗

verb

To shift, or swing around, as a sail, boom, yard, etc., as in tacking.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Attested since the 1680s (also spelled jibe and gybe), perhaps from Dutch gijben (a variant of gijpen (“to turn sails suddenly”), whence certainly the form jibe) or else from Danish gibbe (“jib, jibe”), related to Swedish gippa (“jib, jibe, jerk, make jump”). Compare also Middle High German gempeln (“to spring”), Swedish guppa (“to move up and down”), Swedish gumpa (“to jump, spring”). See jump.

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

Derivation mentiongijbennl
Derivation mentiongibbeda
Cognate mentiongempelngmh
Cognate mentionguppasv
Cognate mentiongumpasv

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Source etymology 3

Original entry ↗

noun

The projecting arm of a crane. · A crane used for mounting and moving a video camera. · An object that is used for performing tricks while skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, in-line skating, or biking. These objects are usually found in a terrain park or skate park. · A person's face.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Attested since the 1660s, of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortening of gibbet.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Source etymology 4

Original entry ↗

verb

To stop and refuse to go forward (usually of a horse). · To express reluctance; to balk.

noun

One who jibs or balks, refusing to continue forward. · A stationary condition; a standstill.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Uncertain, perhaps related to jib (“shift or swing around”) (see above).

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Source etymology 6

Original entry ↗

noun

The mouth, sometimes particularly the tongue, underlip, or tooth.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From Middle English gibbe (“a swelling or protrusion in the body”), from Old French gibbe and/or Medieval Latin gibba (“hump”).

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

Inherited-form mentiongibbeenm · a swelling or protrusion in the body
Derivation mentiongibbefro

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

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Contribute located evidence for jib →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger

Machine-source provenance

Source SHA-256: 5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run: 73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID: w-amli