Definition of nipple

The origin of the word "nipple" can be traced back to the Old English word "nipul," which means "prominent point on a breast that secretes milk." This word was derived from the Old Norse word "niполr," which had a similar meaning. The Old English word "nipul" evolved over time and was eventually replaced by the Middle English word "nyppel" in the 13th century. From there, the word continued to change and adapt as it spread through various dialects and languages. In the 15th century, the word "nipple" began to appear in English texts, replacing the previous variant "nyppel." The origin of the word "nipple" in Old English has led some linguists to speculate that the word may have originally referred to the hard, calloused tip of a breast in lactating women. However, this interpretation is not universally accepted, as there is no definitive evidence to support it. In any case, the word "nipple" and its variants have been used for centuries to refer to the small, protruding part of the human breast that secretes milk. The term remains a widely used and well-understood part of the English language today.