cask

Where does the word "cask" come from? It comes from Late Latin quassicare, passing through French before entering English (1500s).

Cask’s story begins in Late Latin: quassicare meant “to shake, break.” A probable source, through Spanish 'casco', a potsherd or helmet. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as casque. 'casque' meant a helmet; the barrel sense crossed over in English. It reached English by 1500s as cask. Wine casks shaped taste in winemaking. Today, cask means a large barrel.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient quassicare "to shake, break", a probable source, through Spanish 'casco', a potsherd or helmet.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s casque "helmet", 'casque' meant a helmet; the barrel sense crossed over in English.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s cask "barrel", wine casks shaped taste in winemaking.