Newt
late Middle English: from an ewt ( ewt from Old English efeta : see eft), interpreted (by wrong division) as a newt .
wiktionary
From Middle English newte, newete, a form resulting from an incorrect division (a process known as rebracketing) of Middle English an ewte as a newte (for similar misdivisions compare adder, nickname, apron, umpire, etc.). Middle English evete, eute, euete, ewte(“newt”), derives from Old English efete(“lizard; newt”). Doublet of eft.
etymonline
newt (n.)
"small, tailed, salamander-like amphibian," early 15c., neute, newte, a misdivision of an ewte (see N for other examples), a variation of Middle English evete (see eft). "Eft, though now only provincial, is strictly the correct form" [Century Dictionary]. OED notes that "the change of v to w is unusual."
