Where did the word Viking come from?

The word "Viking" is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "víkingr," which referred to a seafaring pirate or raider. The exact etymology of the word is not entirely clear, but it's thought to be related to the Old Norse word "vík," which means "inlet" or "bay." This suggests that the term may have originally referred to people who lived near or frequented coastal inlets. The Vikings were seafaring people from the late 8th to the early 11th century, primarily hailing from what is now modern-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. They were known for their extensive exploration, trade, and raiding activities across Europe, Asia, and even North America. The term "Viking" is now commonly used to refer to these Norse seafarers and the culture they represented.