burgundy

Where does the word "burgundy" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin Burgundia, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Burgundy’s story begins in Medieval Latin: Burgundia meant “a French wine region.” A historic region of eastern France famous for its deep red wine. It reached English by 1500s as burgundy. Adopted for the wine, and later the deep purplish-red color associated with it. Today, burgundy means a deep purplish-red color, named after the French wine region.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval Burgundia "a French wine region", a historic region of eastern France famous for its deep red wine.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s burgundy "a deep purplish-red color, or a wine from Burgundy", adopted for the wine, and later the deep purplish-red color associated with it.