warrant

Where does the word "warrant" come from? It comes from Frankish warand, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Warrant’s story begins in Frankish: warand meant “a guarantee, a protector.” A guarantee, a protector, related to guaranteeing something's truth. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as warant. Carried into French for a guarantee or authorization. It reached English by 1200s as warrant. Settled as the English word for an official document authorizing an action. Today, warrant means an official document authorizing police to make an arrest or search.

1. Stage 1 · Frankish · medieval warand "a guarantee, a protector", a guarantee, a protector, related to guaranteeing something's truth.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval warant "a guarantee, an authorization", carried into French for a guarantee or authorization.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s warrant "an official document authorizing an action, such as an arrest", settled as the English word for an official document authorizing an action.