Etymology Map
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Embark

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to go on board; to begin

Where does the word "embark" come from? It comes from Late Latin barca, passing through French before entering English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
barca
Late Latin · ancient
"boat"
a Late Latin word, the root of 'barque' and 'bark'
2
Stage 2 of 3
embarquer
French · 1500s
"to board ship"
'en-' plus 'barque'
3
Stage 3 of 3
embark
English · 1540s
"to board ship"
'embark on' a project dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

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.