Etymology Map
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Taste

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means the sensation of flavour; aesthetic judgement

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
taxare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to touch, assess"
a frequentative of 'tangere', to touch
2
Stage 2 of 3
taster
Old French · medieval
"to touch, feel"
first meant to touch or examine by touch
3
Stage 3 of 3
taste
English · 1300s
"to touch; to taste"
'good taste' as refinement dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Taste’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: taxare meant “to touch, assess.” A frequentative of 'tangere', to touch. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as taster. First meant to touch or examine by touch. It reached English by 1300s as taste. 'good taste' as refinement dates from the 1600s. Today, taste means the sensation of flavour; aesthetic judgement.