voucher

Where does the word "voucher" come from? It comes from Latin vocare, passing through Anglo-French before entering English (1600s).

Voucher’s story begins in Latin: vocare meant “to call, to summon.” The root of 'voice', 'vocal' and 'vocation'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Anglo-French as vocher. 'vouch' first meant to call someone into court to prove a title. It reached English by 1600s as voucher. Settled as the English word for a document entitling the holder to a good or service. Today, voucher means a document that entitles the holder to a discount or a specific good or service.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vocare "to call, to summon", the root of 'voice', 'vocal' and 'vocation'.
2. Stage 2 · Anglo-French · medieval vocher "to guarantee, to vouch for", 'vouch' first meant to call someone into court to prove a title.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s voucher "a document entitling the holder to a good or service", settled as the English word for a document entitling the holder to a good or service.