The Spanish verb 'virar' (meaning 'to turn' or 'to change direction') traces back to Medieval Latin 'virare', which also meant 'to turn'. The Medieval Latin term itself comes from the Germanic root '*wira', meaning 'bent' or 'turned'. This shows how the basic concept of turning or changing direction has remained consistent throughout the word's evolution from Germanic through Medieval Latin to modern Spanish.

Some related Spanish words include 'viraje' (a turn or swerve), 'virada' (a turn or tack in nautical terms), and 'viruta' (wood shavings - which curl as they're carved off). All these words share the basic concept of turning or curling from the same root.

While English 'veer' (to change direction) might look similar to 'virar', they actually have different etymological origins. However, English has borrowed some related words through French, such as 'environ' (meaning surrounding) and 'environment', which contain the same turning/surrounding concept from Medieval Latin 'virare'.