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Barracuda

3 stages from Cariban to English.

Today it means a large, predatory tropical marine fish known for its speed and sharp teeth

Where does the word "barracuda" come from? It comes from Cariban barracuda, passing through Spanish before entering English (1670s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
barracuda
Cariban · pre-1600s
"a large predatory fish"
possibly the source of the fierce, torpedo-shaped fish's name
2
Stage 2 of 3
barracuda
Spanish · 1670s
"a large, voracious fish of Caribbean waters"
adopted into American Spanish in the West Indies
3
Stage 3 of 3
barracuda
English · 1670s
"a large, predatory tropical fish"
borrowed directly into English from Spanish accounts of the West Indies
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