puree

Where does the word "puree" come from? It comes from Old French purer, passing through French before entering English (1707).

Puree’s story begins in Old French: purer meant “to purify.” To purify, to refine, from Latin purus (pure). By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as puree. Settled in French for food reduced to a smooth, strained paste. It reached English by 1707 as puree. From Old French 'purer', to purify, strain. Today, puree means food that has been cooked and blended into a smooth, thick paste.

1. Stage 1 · Old French · medieval purer "to purify", to purify, to refine, from Latin purus (pure).
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s puree "food reduced to a smooth paste", settled in French for food reduced to a smooth, strained paste.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1707 puree "food blended or strained to a smooth paste", from Old French 'purer', to purify, strain.