Etymology Map
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Gullet

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the passage from mouth to stomach

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
gula
Latin · ancient
"throat"
also the root of 'gluttony' through 'gluttire', to swallow
2
Stage 2 of 3
goulet
Old French · medieval
"neck of a bottle"
a diminutive of 'goule', throat
3
Stage 3 of 3
gullet
English · 1300s
"throat"
also used for narrow channels of water
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Read the full story

Gullet’s story begins in Latin: gula meant “throat.” Also the root of 'gluttony' through 'gluttire', to swallow. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as goulet. A diminutive of 'goule', throat. It reached English by 1300s as gullet. Also used for narrow channels of water. Today, gullet means the passage from mouth to stomach.