sachet

Where does the word "sachet" come from? It comes from Latin saccus, passing through French before entering English (1838).

Sachet’s story begins in Latin: saccus meant “bag, sack.” A general word for a bag. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in French as sachet. A diminutive of sac coined for a little sack. It reached English by 1838 as sachet. Re-borrowed for a small scented bag tucked among clothes and linens. Today, sachet means a small bag or packet, especially one holding a scented substance.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient saccus "bag, sack", a general word for a bag.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1100s sachet "a little bag", a diminutive of sac coined for a little sack.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1838 sachet "a small perfumed bag placed among clothes", re-borrowed for a small scented bag tucked among clothes and linens.