spa

Where does the word "spa" come from? It comes from Walloon/French Spa, and was adopted directly into English (1620s).

Spa’s story begins in Walloon/French: Spa meant “a Belgian town name.” A small town in Belgium famous since Roman times for its mineral springs. It reached English by 1620s as spa. Broadened from the town's name to any mineral spring or health resort. Today, spa means a place offering health, relaxation, and beauty treatments, often with mineral baths.

1. Stage 1 · Walloon/French · medieval Spa "a Belgian town name", a small town in Belgium famous since Roman times for its mineral springs.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1620s spa "a place offering health and beauty treatments", broadened from the town's name to any mineral spring or health resort.