What country of origin or etymology the word halt?

The word "halt" has its origins in Old Norse. It comes from the word "hǫltr", which meant "lame, crippled" or "limping". Over time, the meaning shifted to refer to a stop or pause, likely due to the association of limping with a sudden stop in movement.

Interestingly, the word "halt" also shares a root with the word "halt" in the sense of "lame" or "crippled." This connection is also present in the word "halter," which originally referred to a rope used to restrain animals.

So, while the word "halt" has been adopted into English and other languages, its ultimate origin lies in the Old Norse "hǫltr".