vermouth

Where does the word "vermouth" come from? It comes from German Wermut, passing through French before entering English (1806).

Vermouth’s story begins in German: Wermut meant “wormwood.” Wormwood, the bitter herb historically used to flavor fortified wine. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as vermout. Adapted into French for the aromatic fortified wine. It reached English by 1806 as vermouth. German 'Wermut', wormwood; Antonio Carpano created the first commercial vermouth in Turin in 1786. Today, vermouth means a fortified wine flavored with aromatic herbs and spices.

1. Stage 1 · German · medieval Wermut "wormwood", wormwood, the bitter herb historically used to flavor fortified wine.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1800s vermout "an aromatic fortified wine", adapted into French for the aromatic fortified wine.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1806 vermouth "an aromatic fortified wine flavored with herbs", German 'Wermut', wormwood; Antonio Carpano created the first commercial vermouth in Turin in 1786.