In English the soul concept is derived from old nordic and old Germanic sources.
The earliest meanings of Soul in Old English first referred
to animate existence. Later was incorporated into the principle of life
in man or animals.
In later English soul was established as referring to "the principle of thought and action in man".
Soul also referred to the corresponding or analogous principle in animals.
By about 1499 the concept of soul had taken on a number of
meanings referred to as methaphisical "the vital, sensitive or rational
principle in plants animals or human beings".Soul also referred to the corresponding or analogous principle in animals.
from
"Psychic Sexuality the bio psychic anatomy of sexual
energies " by Ingo Swann