băț

Where it comes from

Unknown. Various theories have been put forth; among the most probable is a Common Slavic bičĭ, from Proto-Slavic *bičь (“whip, flagellum”), and thus a doublet of bici (“whip”). Another possibility is a Slavic bŭtŭ, from Proto-Slavic *bъtъ (whence bâtă (“club”)); cf. also Hungarian bot). Less likely etymologies include a Vulgar Latin *vittum, from Latin vitta (“band, ribbon, fillet”) (but the reason for the phonetic alteration of the final consonant is unknown), or Latin vitium (“vice, crime, misdeed”) (but this presents semantic difficulties; perhaps an abstract link arose between the idea of a stick or rod and punishment for a misdeed or crime), or finally Latin vectis (“pole or bar”) (but this again encounters phonetic problems).