troop

Where does the word "troop" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin troppus, passing through French before entering English (1540s).

Troop’s story begins in Medieval Latin: troppus meant “flock, herd.” Possibly Frankish 'throp', village. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as troupe. The root of 'troupe' of actors. It reached English by 1540s as troop. 'troops' as soldiers generally dates from the 1600s. Today, troop means a group of soldiers.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval troppus "flock, herd", possibly Frankish 'throp', village.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s troupe "band of people", the root of 'troupe' of actors.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1540s troop "band of soldiers", 'troops' as soldiers generally dates from the 1600s.