Reconstruction:Proto-Slavic/bagati

This Proto-Slavic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Per Trubachyev, the most likely etymology is from Proto-Balto-Slavic *bōˀgā́ˀtei, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéh₃g-eh₂-ti, from *bʰeh₃g- (“to bake”). Cognate with Ancient Greek φώγω (phṓgō, “to roast”) and Proto-Germanic *bakaną (“to bake”).

A relation with Sanskrit भजति (bhájati, “to distribute”) and Slavic forms like *bogatъ (“rich”), *bogъ (“God”) (all from *bʰeh₂g-) is less likely.

*bagati impf

1. to ignite fire (obsolete)
2. to desire

• *bažiti (“to desire, to keen”)
• *bagniti (“to gnaw”)
• *bagatьje (“fireplace, fire”)
• *bagno (“mud”)
• *bagrъ (“paint, crimson red”) (probably)

• Trubachyov, Oleg, editor (1974), “*bagati”, in Этимологический словарь славянских языков [Etymological dictionary of Slavic languages] (in Russian), numbers 1 (*a – *besědьlivъ), Moscow: Nauka, page 122
• Vasmer, Max (1964–1973) “бажать”, in Oleg Trubachyov, transl., Этимологический словарь русского языка [Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language] (in Russian), Moscow: Progress