tassel

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

Tassel’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: tassellus meant “small cube, clasp.” Possibly from 'taxillus', a small die. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tassel. A clasp on a cloak. It reached English by 1300s as tassel. Later the ornamental bunch of threads. Today, tassel means a bunch of threads tied at one end.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient tassellus "small cube, clasp", possibly from 'taxillus', a small die.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval tassel "clasp", a clasp on a cloak.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s tassel "clasp; pendant", later the ornamental bunch of threads.