Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
FLAW
I. noun
Etymology: of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian flaga gust, squall
Date: 1513
a sudden brief burst of wind, an outburst especially of passion,
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, flake, from Old Norse flaga stone slab, moldarflaga thin layer of turf; akin to Old English flōh flat stone
Date: 1586
1. a defect in physical structure or form , an imperfection or weakness and especially one that detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness , fragment , flawed adjective flawless adjective flawlessly adverb flawlessness noun
III. verb
Date: 1610
transitive verb to make flaws in ; mar , intransitive verb to become defective