1
Stage 1 of 3
ad saltus
Vulgar Latin · medieval
"a leaping attack"
literally to a leap, from ad- (to) and saltus (a leap)
2
Stage 2 of 3
asaut
Old French · medieval
"a sudden violent attack"
carried into French for a sudden violent attack
3
Stage 3 of 3
assault
English · 1200s
"a violent physical attack"
settled as the English word for a violent physical attack
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