Etymology Map
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Flask

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a narrow-necked bottle

Where does the word "flask" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin flasco, passing through French before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
flasco
Medieval Latin · medieval
"bottle"
a Medieval Latin word, possibly Germanic
2
Stage 2 of 3
flasque
French · 1500s
"powder flask"
used for soldiers' powder flasks; Italian 'fiasco' comes from the same word
3
Stage 3 of 3
flask
English · 1500s
"bottle"
later any narrow-necked bottle, including a pocket flask for spirits
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Read the full story

Flask’s story begins in Medieval Latin: flasco meant “bottle.” A Medieval Latin word, possibly Germanic. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as flasque. Used for soldiers' powder flasks; Italian 'fiasco' comes from the same word. It reached English by 1500s as flask. Later any narrow-necked bottle, including a pocket flask for spirits. Today, flask means a narrow-necked bottle.