## Etymology
From Middle English doten ('to be foolish, act silly'), probably from or cognate with Middle Dutch doten ('to be silly'); the sense 'to love excessively' developed from the notion of foolish fondness.

## AI Etymology
Dote is from Middle English doten ('to be foolish, act silly'), probably from or cognate with Middle Dutch doten ('to be silly'); the sense 'to love excessively' developed from the notion of foolish fondness. The immediate etymological form is Middle English doten. In present use as a verb, it means "to show excessive fondness or affection", keeping the historical formation close to the word's ordinary semantic work. Derived forms include doting, doter, dotage, and dotard. Its contrast set includes neglect, ignore, disregard, and despise, which clarifies the semantic boundary of the modern word.

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