Etymology Map
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Garrison

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means troops stationed in a town or fort

Where does the word "garrison" come from? It comes from Frankish warjan, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
warjan
Frankish · ancient
"to defend"
a Frankish word related to 'wary' and 'warn'
2
Stage 2 of 3
garison
Old French · medieval
"defence, provision"
protection and supplies for a fortress
3
Stage 3 of 3
garrison
English · 1400s
"defence"
the sense 'troops stationed in a fort' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Garrison’s story begins in Frankish: warjan meant “to defend.” A Frankish word related to 'wary' and 'warn'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as garison. Protection and supplies for a fortress. It reached English by 1400s as garrison. The sense 'troops stationed in a fort' dates from the 1500s. Today, garrison means troops stationed in a town or fort.