wench

Where does the word "wench" come from? It comes from Old English wencel, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Wench’s story begins in Old English: wencel meant “child.” 'child', of either sex, perhaps from wancol 'unsteady, fickle', as of a toddler. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as wenche. A girl or young woman, especially a servant; Chaucer uses it for a serving girl. It reached English by 1500s as wench. Gained the sense of a wanton woman, now archaic or jocular. Today, wench means (archaic or humorous) a girl or young woman.

1. Stage 1 · Old English · medieval wencel "child", 'child', of either sex, perhaps from wancol 'unsteady, fickle', as of a toddler.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s wenche "girl; servant girl", a girl or young woman, especially a servant; Chaucer uses it for a serving girl.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s wench "girl (archaic); wanton woman", gained the sense of a wanton woman, now archaic or jocular.