Etymology
The etymology of the v. is uncertain. In the absence of a compelling native etymon, an ON source is often suggested on the basis of comparison with OIcel
róma 'give assent by shouting, approve of' and
rómr (n.) 'voice, applause, response'. These words too are of uncertain origin, but possibly to be connected with OIcel
remja 'roar',
rymja 'roar' and
rámr (adj.) 'hoarse' (thus e.g. de Vries, Kroonen). Bj. allows for the possibility of this derivation, but expresses some caution given the absence of any very compelling formal or circumstantial evidence. There are, moreover, some potential problems as
OED3 notes: that forms such as the one in
WA would have to be explained as assimilated to class II wk. verbs (thus
MED), and forms with the variant vocalism <u> would remain to be explained 'unless they show northern raising of Middle English close
ō'. Neither of these points precludes the possibility of ON derivation, but they give considerable reason for doubt.
PGmc Ancestor
Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)
cp. róma 'give assent by shouting, approve of', rómr (n.) 'voice, applause, response'
(ONP cp. róma (2) (vb.), rómr (sb.))
Other Scandinavian Reflexes
cp. Icel róma; Far rómur, Icel rómur
OE Cognate
Phonological and morphological markers
Summary category
DD1c