Re: Starostin's proposed etymology for *hek'u_o- 'horse'

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Tavi" wrote:

>
> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Francesco Brighenti" frabrig@ wrote:
> >
> > Dear List,
> >
> > In the version of Pokorny's IE etymological dictionary revised by
> > Starostin & Lubotsky, which is available at
> >
> > http://dnghu.org/indoeuropean.html ,
> >
> > I find the following note to the entry *ek'u_o-s (*hek'u_o-):
> >
> > "Horses were often considered the most precious sacrifice for the

sea

> god. That is why from root/lemma: akWā- (correct ǝkWā):
> Ä"kW-: 'water, river' derived root/lemma: ek'u_o-s: 'horse'."
> >
> > How was this etymology received?
> >
> > Thanks for a reply, and best regards.
>
> I really doubt this etymology is Starostin's, as the word 'horse' is a
> Wanderwort also found in NEC and NWC and which originated in the

Pontic

> Steppes, where the animal was domesticated.
>

Hmmm. Actually, this proposal gave me some useful material for thought.
The word 'horse' has been often linked to the IE adjective *h1o:k´u-
'fast', so I guess Paleo-European *akw-a: is related to the latter and
means 'running water'.