From Middle Low German 'mudde' (mud, bog) — a basic Germanic earth-word that entered English through contact with Low Countries traders.
From Middle Low German 'mudde' or Middle Dutch 'modde' meaning 'mud, bog,' from Proto-Germanic *mud- (mud). Possibly related to PIE *meu- (wet, damp). Key roots: *mud- (Proto-Germanic: "mud, wet earth").