invoice

Where does the word "invoice" come from? It comes from Old French envoyer, and was adopted directly into English (1550s).

Invoice’s story begins in Old French: envoyer meant “to send.” From the plural of French 'envoi', things sent. It reached English by 1550s as invoice. Settled as the English word for an itemized bill sent for goods or services. Today, invoice means a document listing goods or services provided, along with their cost.

1. Stage 1 · Old French · medieval envoyer "to send", from the plural of French 'envoi', things sent.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1550s invoice "an itemized bill for goods or services", settled as the English word for an itemized bill sent for goods or services.