gorge

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

Gorge’s story begins in Latin: gurges meant “whirlpool.” Later confused with 'gula', throat. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as gorge. The throat. It reached English by 1300s as gorge. The ravine sense dates from the 1700s. Today, gorge means a narrow valley; to eat greedily.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient gurges "whirlpool", later confused with 'gula', throat.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval gorge "throat", the throat.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s gorge "throat", the ravine sense dates from the 1700s.