Etymology Map
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Quail

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a small, short-tailed game bird

Where does the word "quail" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin quaccula, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
quaccula
Medieval Latin · medieval
"quail"
an imitative word from the bird's call, possibly of Germanic origin
2
Stage 2 of 3
quaille
Old French · medieval
"quail"
hunted for food in medieval Europe
3
Stage 3 of 3
quail
English · 1300s
"game bird"
unrelated to 'quail' meaning to cower
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Read the full story

Quail’s story begins in Medieval Latin: quaccula meant “quail.” An imitative word from the bird's call, possibly of Germanic origin. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as quaille. Hunted for food in medieval Europe. It reached English by 1300s as quail. Unrelated to 'quail' meaning to cower. Today, quail means a small, short-tailed game bird.