The word 'workman' is a transparent compound formed within Old English from its two native Germanic elements. The first element, 'work', descends from the Proto-Germanic werkan, which carried the sense of "to do" or "to perform," a concept with deep Proto-Indo-European roots related to energy and activity. The second element, 'man', originates from Proto-Germanic mann-, broadly meaning "person." The compound's logic is straightforward and literal: a "work-person" or a "person who works," specifically with his hands. Over time, its meaning narrowed from any laborer to one skilled in a particular manual or industrial trade, reflecting the word's enduring connection to practical, physical labor.

Structure: work (activity) + man (person) - work: From Old English weorc, meaning "something done, deed, action, labor." Its functional role is the core semantic root denoting productive activity. - man: From Old English mann, meaning "person, human being." Its functional role is a noun-forming suffix specifying the agent or person associated with the root.