flute

Where does the word "flute" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin flabeolum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Flute’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: flabeolum meant “a blowing instrument.” Possibly from 'flare', to blow, blended with 'lute'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as flaüte. A medieval wind instrument. It reached English by 1300s as flute. 'champagne flute' dates from the 1600s. Today, flute means a wind instrument played by blowing across a hole.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient flabeolum "a blowing instrument", possibly from 'flare', to blow, blended with 'lute'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval flaüte "flute", a medieval wind instrument.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s flute "a wind instrument", 'champagne flute' dates from the 1600s.