bouillabaisse

Where does the word "bouillabaisse" come from? It comes from Occitan bolh, passing through French before entering English (1850s).

Bouillabaisse’s story begins in Occitan: bolh meant “boil, then reduce heat.” Combining to boil and abaissa (to reduce heat), describing the fish stew's cooking method. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as bouillabaisse. Settled in French for the traditional Provencal fish stew. It reached English by 1850s as bouillabaisse. The fish stew of Marseille; the name combines Provençal 'boil' and 'lower' the heat. Today, bouillabaisse means a traditional French fish stew originating from the port city of Marseille.

1. Stage 1 · Occitan · medieval bolh "boil, then reduce heat", combining to boil and abaissa (to reduce heat), describing the fish stew's cooking method.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1800s bouillabaisse "a traditional Provencal fish stew", settled in French for the traditional Provencal fish stew.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1850s bouillabaisse "a traditional French fish stew", the fish stew of Marseille; the name combines Provençal 'boil' and 'lower' the heat.