grocery

Where does the word "grocery" come from? It comes from Late Latin grossus, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Grocery’s story begins in Late Latin: grossus meant “thick, bulky.” The root of 'gross'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as grossier. A merchant who sold in bulk, 'en gros'. It reached English by 1400s as grocery. 'groceries' as food items date from the 1600s. Today, grocery means a shop selling food and household goods.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient grossus "thick, bulky", the root of 'gross'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval grossier "wholesaler", a merchant who sold in bulk, 'en gros'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s grocery "wholesale trade", 'groceries' as food items date from the 1600s.