Etymology Map
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Gorge

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a narrow valley; to eat greedily

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

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