commandeer

Where does the word "commandeer" come from? It comes from French commander, passing through Dutch and Afrikaans before entering English (1880s).

Commandeer’s story begins in French: commander meant “to command.” To order, from Latin 'commendāre'. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Dutch as kommanderen. Borrowed by Dutch settlers at the Cape. From there it passed into Afrikaans as kommandeer by 1800s. Boer commandos seized supplies and horses for their campaigns. It reached English by 1880s as commandeer. British reporters in the Boer Wars took it over. Today, commandeer means to take possession of something, especially for military use.

1. Stage 1 · French · medieval commander "to command", to order, from Latin 'commendāre'.
2. Stage 2 · Dutch · 1600s kommanderen "to command", borrowed by Dutch settlers at the Cape.
3. Stage 3 · Afrikaans · 1800s kommandeer "to requisition", Boer commandos seized supplies and horses for their campaigns.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1880s commandeer "to seize for use", British reporters in the Boer Wars took it over.