gouache

Where does the word "gouache" come from? It comes from Italian aquazzo, passing through French before entering English (1880s).

Gouache’s story begins in Italian: aquazzo meant “a water-based paint.” Possibly related to acqua (water), describing a water-based opaque paint. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as gouache. Settled in French for the opaque watercolor painting medium. It reached English by 1880s as gouache. From Italian 'guazzo', puddle, watery paint. Today, gouache means an opaque watercolor paint, or a painting made with it.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · medieval aquazzo "a water-based paint", possibly related to acqua (water), describing a water-based opaque paint.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s gouache "an opaque watercolor paint", settled in French for the opaque watercolor painting medium.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1880s gouache "an opaque water-based paint", from Italian 'guazzo', puddle, watery paint.