Definition of boast

The word "boast" has its roots in Old English and Old Norse languages. The Old English word "boestan" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*bōstiz", which is also the source of the Modern German word "boasten". This Proto-Germanic word is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*bʰeh2-" which carried a sense of "to swell" or "to magnify". In the 14th century, the word "boast" began to take on a negative connotation, meaning to speak proudly or boastfully about one's achievements or possessions. This sense of the word is thought to have been influenced by the Latin word "iocari", which means "to joke or crack jokes", implying that boasting was a form of humorous embellishment. Today, the word "boast" is often used to describe someone who is excessively proud or arrogant about their accomplishments.