'jeer' originates from late 16th-century English; its precise origin is uncertain, possibly of imitative origin or influenced by Middle Dutch 'gieren' meaning 'to yelp, to cry out'.

'jeer' changed from Middle English forms such as 'gier'/'gyer' (and related Low/Germanic verbs like Dutch 'gieren') and eventually became the modern English word 'jeer'.

Initially it carried senses of calling out or crying (often with hostility), and over time it narrowed to mean specifically 'making scornful or mocking shouts/remarks'.