Etymology Map
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Pouch

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a small bag

Where does the word "pouch" come from? It comes from Frankish pokka, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pokka
Frankish · ancient
"bag"
a Frankish word related to 'poke' and 'pocket'
2
Stage 2 of 3
poche
Old French · medieval
"bag"
Norman French 'pouche'
3
Stage 3 of 3
pouch
English · 1300s
"small bag"
kangaroo 'pouches' date from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Pouch’s story begins in Frankish: pokka meant “bag.” A Frankish word related to 'poke' and 'pocket'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as poche. Norman French 'pouche'. It reached English by 1300s as pouch. Kangaroo 'pouches' date from the 1700s. Today, pouch means a small bag.