From Old English 'lād' (way, carrying), from Proto-Germanic *laidō — shifted from 'the journey' to 'the burden carried.'
A heavy thing being carried or to be carried; the total weight on a structure.
From Old English 'lād' meaning 'way, course, carrying, act of leading,' from Proto-Germanic *laidō (way, journey). The meaning shifted from 'the act of carrying' to 'the thing being carried.' Key roots: *laidō (Proto-Germanic: "way, course").