poison

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

Poison’s story begins in Latin: potio meant “a drink.” The same root as 'potion'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as poison. A drink, especially a medicinal or magic one. It reached English by 1200s as poison. 'potion' was later borrowed separately, keeping the neutral sense. Today, poison means a substance that causes illness or death.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient potio "a drink", the same root as 'potion'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval poison "draught; poison", a drink, especially a medicinal or magic one.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s poison "a deadly substance", 'potion' was later borrowed separately, keeping the neutral sense.