Here's a simplified breakdown of its evolution:
* Proto-Germanic: *smiþaz* (blacksmith)
* Old English: *smiþ* (blacksmith)
* Middle English: *smyth* (blacksmith)
* Modern English: smith (blacksmith, or a person who works with a particular material)
The word "smith" is related to words in other Germanic languages, such as German "Schmied", Dutch "smid", and Swedish "smed".
The word "smith" originally referred to a blacksmith, who worked with iron and other metals. Over time, it has been generalized to refer to people who work with other materials, like gold (goldsmith) or wood (woodsmith).
So, the origin of the word "smith" is deeply rooted in the ancient Germanic culture and its emphasis on metalworking.