sparver

noun

spar·​ver

ˈspärvər

plural -s

obsolete

: the canopy of a bed

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sperver, sparver, from Middle French esprevier, espervier sparrow hawk, canopy bed, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch sperware sparrow hawk, Middle Low German sparwer, sperwer, Old High German sparwāri; all from a prehistoric Old High German-Middle Dutch-Middle Low German compound whose first element is represented by Old High German sparo sparrow, and whose second element is represented by Old High German aro eagle, altered under the influence of the suffix represented by Old High German -āri -er

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