Etymology Map
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Garter

3 stages from Gaulish to English.

Today it means a band to hold up a stocking

Where does the word "garter" come from? It comes from Gaulish garet, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
garet
Gaulish · ancient
"bend of the knee"
a Celtic word, related to Welsh 'gar', leg
2
Stage 2 of 3
gartier
Old French · medieval
"garter"
a band worn below the knee
3
Stage 3 of 3
garter
English · 1300s
"leg band"
the Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348
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Read the full story

Garter’s story begins in Gaulish: garet meant “bend of the knee.” A Celtic word, related to Welsh 'gar', leg. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as gartier. A band worn below the knee. It reached English by 1300s as garter. The Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348. Today, garter means a band to hold up a stocking.