Etymology Map
Back to all words

Coracle

2 stages from Welsh to English.

Today it means a small round boat of wickerwork covered with watertight material

Where does the word "coracle" come from? It comes from Welsh corwgl, adopted directly into English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
corwgl
Welsh · medieval
"round boat"
a round boat of wicker covered with hide (later tarred cloth); coracle-men still fish the River Teifi at Cenarth
2
Stage 2 of 2
coracle
English · 1540s
"small round boat"
an ancient craft: Julius Caesar's Civil War describes him copying British-style boats of wicker and hide in Spain in 49 BC
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Coracle’s story begins in Welsh: corwgl meant “round boat.” A round boat of wicker covered with hide (later tarred cloth); coracle-men still fish the River Teifi at Cenarth. It reached English by 1540s as coracle. An ancient craft: Julius Caesar's Civil War describes him copying British-style boats of wicker and hide in Spain in 49 BC. Today, coracle means a small round boat of wickerwork covered with watertight material.