Etymology Map
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Robe

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a long loose outer garment

Where does the word "robe" come from? It comes from Frankish rauba, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
rauba
Frankish · ancient
"booty, spoils"
a Germanic word related to 'rob'; clothing was the typical plunder
2
Stage 2 of 3
robe
Old French · medieval
"garment"
'wardrobe' means 'guard for robes'
3
Stage 3 of 3
robe
English · 1200s
"a long gown"
'bathrobe' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Robe’s story begins in Frankish: rauba meant “booty, spoils.” A Germanic word related to 'rob'; clothing was the typical plunder. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as robe. 'wardrobe' means 'guard for robes'. It reached English by 1200s as robe. 'bathrobe' dates from the 1900s. Today, robe means a long loose outer garment.