Etymology Map
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Rabbit

2 stages from Walloon to English.

Today it means a small burrowing mammal with long ears

Where does the word "rabbit" come from? It comes from Walloon robète, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
robète
Walloon · medieval
"young rabbit"
a dialect word of the Low Countries, possibly from Middle Dutch 'robbe'; Flemish weavers and traders brought it to England
2
Stage 2 of 2
rabbit
English · 1300s
"young rabbit"
first used only for the young; adults were 'coneys' until the 1700s
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Rabbit’s story begins in Walloon: robète meant “young rabbit.” A dialect word of the Low Countries, possibly from Middle Dutch 'robbe'; Flemish weavers and traders brought it to England. It reached English by 1300s as rabbit. First used only for the young; adults were 'coneys' until the 1700s. Today, rabbit means a small burrowing mammal with long ears.