yawn(v.) c. 1300,yenen,yonen, from Old Englishginian,gionian"open the mouth wide, yawn, gape," from Proto-Germanic*gin-(source also of Old Englishgiwian, giowian, giwan"to request," Old Norsegina"to yawn," Dutchgeeuwen, Old High Germanginen"to be wide open," Germangähnen"to...