Etymology Map
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Cask

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a large barrel

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

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

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.