Etymology Map
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Tavern

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an inn or pub serving drinks

Where does the word "tavern" come from? It comes from Latin taberna, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
taberna
Latin · ancient
"hut, shop"
possibly from 'trabs', beam, a structure of planks; also gives 'tabernacle'
2
Stage 2 of 3
taverne
Old French · medieval
"wine shop"
narrowed to a shop selling wine
3
Stage 3 of 3
tavern
English · 1200s
"a public house"
in England it sold drink, while inns also offered lodging
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Read the full story

Tavern’s story begins in Latin: taberna meant “hut, shop.” Possibly from 'trabs', beam, a structure of planks; also gives 'tabernacle'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as taverne. Narrowed to a shop selling wine. It reached English by 1200s as tavern. In England it sold drink, while inns also offered lodging. Today, tavern means an inn or pub serving drinks.