Definition of hoarding

The word "hoarding" has its roots in Old English and Middle English. In Old English, the word "hōarding" referred to the act of storing or accumulating food, especially grains and other edible goods. This sense of hoarding was likely influenced by the Anglo-Saxon tradition of storing food and supplies during times of scarcity. During the Middle English period (circa 11th-15th centuries), the meaning of "hoarding" expanded to include the act of storing or collecting valuable items, such as treasure, riches, or precious goods. This sense of hoarding was often used to describe the accumulation of wealth or valuable objects. In modern English, the word "hoarding" has taken on a broader meaning, encompassing not only the accumulation of material goods but also the excessive or compulsive storage or collection of items, including clutter and possessions.