loir

from the Latin glis (dormouse) see lérot and liron. The different Gallo-Roman forms are derived from the oblique case glīrem. The (apheresis) of the initial g- is difficult to explain; the same phenomenon is observed in the Old French luissel ("ball") derived from globuscellum ("small ball"), diminutive of globus and lemoissel ("ball") derived from glomiscellum, diminutive of glomus.