The most likely origin of the English word god is the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰew-, meaning "to pour," especially to pour a ritual libation or offering. Most linguists think Proto-Germanic *gudą developed from the participial form *ǵʰutóm, meaning something like "that which has been libated" or "that which receives a libation," reflecting an early Indo-European religious practice of pouring offerings of mead, milk, wine, water, or blood to supernatural beings. Over time, this term came to mean simply "god."
