tout

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   advertize in strongly positive terms

   This product was touted as a revolutionary invention.

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Simplified etymology

Tout is a Middle English word, originally spelled tute and meaning “look out.” It is Germanic and related to Dutch tuit, “spout” or “nozzle,” possibly through the image of protruding or poking one’s head out. Its senses developed from keeping watch to spying and, by the mid-18th century, soliciting customers.

From Middle English touten (“to jut out, protrude, gaze upon, observe, peer”), from Old English *tūtian (“to be sticking out, protrude”), related to Old English tȳtan (“to stand out, be conspicuous, shine”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *tut(t)- (“to stick out, project”). Compare Icelandic túta (“a teat-like prominence”), tútna (“to be blown up”). Possibly influenced by dialectal toot (“to stick out; project; peer out; peep”), from Middle English toten, totien, from Old English tōtian (“to peep out; look; pry; spectate”). Compare also Old English tot, ġetot (“pomp, splendour, vainglory”).

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