spaniel

Where does the word "spaniel" come from? It comes from Latin Hispania, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Spaniel’s story begins in Latin: Hispania meant “Spain.” The Roman name for the Iberian peninsula. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as espaignol. The breed was believed to come from Spain. It reached English by 1300s as spaniel. 'spaniel' for a fawning person dates from the 1500s. Today, spaniel means a breed of dog with long ears.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient Hispania "Spain", the Roman name for the Iberian peninsula.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval espaignol "Spanish", the breed was believed to come from Spain.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s spaniel "Spanish dog", 'spaniel' for a fawning person dates from the 1500s.