Etymology Map
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Bulwark

3 stages from Middle Dutch to English.

Today it means a defensive wall; a person or thing that protects

Where does the word "bulwark" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch bolwerc, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
bolwerc
Middle Dutch · medieval
"log rampart"
'bole', tree trunk, plus 'werc', work: a rampart of logs
2
Stage 2 of 3
bulwerk
Middle English · 1400s
"a defensive wall"
also gave French 'boulevard', a street built on old city walls
3
Stage 3 of 3
bulwark
English · 1500s
"a defensive wall; a safeguard"
used figuratively for any safeguard
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Read the full story

Bulwark’s story begins in Middle Dutch: bolwerc meant “log rampart.” 'bole', tree trunk, plus 'werc', work: a rampart of logs. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as bulwerk. Also gave French 'boulevard', a street built on old city walls. It reached English by 1500s as bulwark. Used figuratively for any safeguard. Today, bulwark means a defensive wall; a person or thing that protects.