Etymology Map
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Gutter

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a channel for carrying off rainwater

Where does the word "gutter" come from? It comes from Latin gutta, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
gutta
Latin · ancient
"drop"
the root of 'gout', once thought to be caused by dripping humours
2
Stage 2 of 3
goutiere
Old French · medieval
"gutter"
a channel for dripping rainwater
3
Stage 3 of 3
gutter
English · 1200s
"channel for water"
'gutter press' for sleazy journalism dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Gutter’s story begins in Latin: gutta meant “drop.” The root of 'gout', once thought to be caused by dripping humours. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as goutiere. A channel for dripping rainwater. It reached English by 1200s as gutter. 'gutter press' for sleazy journalism dates from the 1800s. Today, gutter means a channel for carrying off rainwater.