train

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

Train’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: traginare meant “to drag.” From 'trahere', to draw, the root of 'tractor'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as trahiner. A trailing part of a gown. It reached English by 1300s as train. Railway 'trains' date from 1820s. Today, train means a line of railway carriages; to teach a skill.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient traginare "to drag", from 'trahere', to draw, the root of 'tractor'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval trahiner "to drag", a trailing part of a gown.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s train "a trailing thing", railway 'trains' date from 1820s.