swaddle

Etymology

From Middle English swathlen (“to bind; swaddle”), from Middle English swathel, swethel, from Old English swaþul, swæþel, sweþel, sweoþol (“swaddling cloth”), equivalent to swathe (“to wrap with fabric”) + -le (agent/instrumental suffix), the word then underwent th-stopping (its voiced th became a d). Cognate with Middle Dutch swadel (“swaddling; bandage”), Old High German swedili (“poultice”), Old English sweþian, besweþian (“to wrap; swaddle”).

verb

1. To bind (a baby) with long narrow strips of cloth.
2. (archaic) To beat; cudgel.

noun

1. Anything used to swaddle with, such as a cloth or band.
   The baby is awake, trying to escape the swaddle I have imprisoned her in. 2020, Avni Doshi, Burnt Sugar, Hamish Hamilton, page 207