The Spanish verb 'abordar' (meaning 'to board' or 'to approach') comes from combining three elements: the prefix 'a-' meaning 'towards', the noun 'bordo' meaning 'side of ship', and the verbal suffix '-ar'. The noun 'bordo' itself comes from the Frankish word 'bord' meaning 'board' or 'side of ship'. This etymology reflects how the action of boarding literally means going towards the side of a ship.

A simpler related Spanish word is 'bordo' meaning 'board' or 'side of ship'. You might hear this in the common Spanish phrase 'a bordo' meaning 'on board'. Another related term is 'borde' meaning 'edge' or 'border', which shares the same Germanic root idea of a side or edge.

The English word 'board' is closely related to 'abordar', as they both ultimately come from the same Germanic root. In English, 'board' has many related meanings: the piece of wood, to get onto a vehicle (like 'boarding' a plane), and even 'room and board'. The connection between these meanings and the Spanish 'abordar' becomes clear when you consider that originally 'board' referred to the side or deck of a ship, which you would approach to get on the vessel.