Etymology Map
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Cabin

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a small wooden house; a room on a ship

Where does the word "cabin" come from? It comes from Late Latin capanna, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
capanna
Late Latin · ancient
"hut"
a Late Latin word, possibly Celtic
2
Stage 2 of 3
cabane
Old French · medieval
"hut"
came through Provençal 'cabana'
3
Stage 3 of 3
cabin
English · 1300s
"hut"
ship's 'cabins' date from the 1400s
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Read the full story

Cabin’s story begins in Late Latin: capanna meant “hut.” A Late Latin word, possibly Celtic. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cabane. Came through Provençal 'cabana'. It reached English by 1300s as cabin. Ship's 'cabins' date from the 1400s. Today, cabin means a small wooden house; a room on a ship.