The word "eft" refers to a juvenile or young newt, which is a type of salamander. In the life cycle of newts, the eft stage occurs after the larval stage when they are terrestrial and often found in moist environments until they return to the water as adults. Efts are typically characterized by their bright colors and small size.
The word "eft" comes from Middle English "efte," which means "newt" or "young newt." Its roots can be traced back to Old English "æfta," meaning "a young one."