The word "mould" can refer to a few things depending on the context. Primarily, it is a noun that describes a hollow container used to give shape to something (e.g., a cake mould). It can also mean a type of fungus that grows in damp conditions, often appearing as a fuzzy growth. As a verb, "mould" means to form something into a particular shape or to influence someone’s character or ideas.
The word "mould" comes from the Old English term "mold," which means "a soft, wet mass." It has roots in the Proto-Germanic "*moldō," meaning "earth" or "soil."