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Where does the word "embark" come from? It comes from Late Latin barca, passing through French before entering English (1540s).
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Where does the word "embark" come from? It comes from Late Latin barca, passing through French before entering English (1540s).
Embark’s story begins in Late Latin: barca meant “boat.” A Late Latin word, the root of 'barque' and 'bark'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as embarquer. 'en-' plus 'barque'. It reached English by 1540s as embark. 'embark on' a project dates from the 1600s. Today, embark means to go on board; to begin.
- Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient barca "boat", a Late Latin word, the root of 'barque' and 'bark'.
- Stage 2 · French · 1500s embarquer "to board ship", 'en-' plus 'barque'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1540s embark "to board ship", 'embark on' a project dates from the 1600s.