Dravlaus

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

Originally a farm name. Last part from Old Norse lauss (“loose; -less”), or the noun lausa f, a variant of leysa (“lack”). The first part is uncertain, but may come from draf (“dregs, draff”), or from drafli (“a dainty made of caramelised curdled milk”). The latter would be a derogatory exonym, implying they had less food on this farm. Compare the Icelandic farm name Draflaleysa.

Oluf Rygh has suggested Old Norse *Draglausa as a possible Old Norse form, from drag (“pull, drag”).

Proper noun

Dravlaus

1. A village in Volda, Sunnmøre district, Møre og Romsdal, Norway
2. A village in Sykkylven, Sunnmøre district, Møre og Romsdal, Norway

Usage notes

The name has been Danicised as Drabløs, which is still used as a surname.

Derived terms

Volda:

• Dravlauselva
• Dravlauslida
• Dravlausstøylen (“the summer pasture above Dravlaus”)
• Dravlausvik(a)

 

Sykkylven:

• Dravlausbrua
• Dravlausnyken
• Dravlausstølen