Etymology Map
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Bushel

3 stages from Gaulish to English.

Today it means a measure of capacity for grain and fruit

Where does the word "bushel" come from? It comes from Gaulish bostia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
bostia
Gaulish · ancient
"handful"
a Gaulish word
2
Stage 2 of 3
boissel
Old French · medieval
"dry measure"
a measure for grain
3
Stage 3 of 3
bushel
English · 1300s
"grain measure"
'hide your light under a bushel' is from the Gospels
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Read the full story

Bushel’s story begins in Gaulish: bostia meant “handful.” A Gaulish word. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as boissel. A measure for grain. It reached English by 1300s as bushel. 'hide your light under a bushel' is from the Gospels. Today, bushel means a measure of capacity for grain and fruit.