Etymology Map
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Mustard

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a hot-tasting paste made from the seeds of the mustard plant

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
mustum
Latin · ancient
"new wine, must"
fresh grape juice, which Romans mixed with ground seeds to make the condiment
2
Stage 2 of 3
moustarde
Old French · medieval
"mustard condiment"
named after the must rather than the seeds; Dijon became its centre of production
3
Stage 3 of 3
mustard
English · 1200s
"a spicy yellow condiment"
later applied to the plant itself as well as the paste
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Read the full story

Mustard’s story begins in Latin: mustum meant “new wine, must.” Fresh grape juice, which Romans mixed with ground seeds to make the condiment. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as moustarde. Named after the must rather than the seeds; Dijon became its centre of production. It reached English by 1200s as mustard. Later applied to the plant itself as well as the paste. Today, mustard means a hot-tasting paste made from the seeds of the mustard plant.