rig

Where does the word "rig" come from? It comes from Norwegian rigga, and was adopted directly into English (1480s).

Rig’s story begins in Norwegian: rigga meant “to bind, wrap.” A nautical verb for binding or wrapping, used of fitting a ship. It reached English by 1480s as rig. First a sailors' term for fitting a ship with masts, sails and lines; later, the sense 'to manipulate dishonestly' arose from slang for a trick or swindle. Today, rig means to fit out with equipment; to manipulate an outcome dishonestly.

1. Stage 1 · Norwegian · medieval rigga "to bind, wrap", a nautical verb for binding or wrapping, used of fitting a ship.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1480s rig "to equip a ship; later to fix fraudulently", first a sailors' term for fitting a ship with masts, sails and lines; later, the sense 'to manipulate dishonestly' arose from slang for a trick or swindle.