xebec

Where does the word "xebec" come from? It comes from Arabic shabbak, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1750s).

Xebec’s story begins in Arabic: shabbak meant “small warship.” Originally meant "a net," later "a small warship," perhaps from its fishing-boat origins. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Italian as sciabecco. Adopted for the fast three-masted Mediterranean vessel favored by Barbary corsairs. From there it passed into French as chebec by 1700s. Carried the ship's name into French naval vocabulary. It reached English by 1750s as xebec. Entered English naval terminology for the Mediterranean sailing vessel. Today, xebec means a small, fast three-masted sailing ship formerly used in the Mediterranean, especially by Barbary corsairs.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval shabbak "small warship", originally meant "a net," later "a small warship," perhaps from its fishing-boat origins.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s sciabecco "xebec ship", adopted for the fast three-masted Mediterranean vessel favored by Barbary corsairs.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1700s chebec "xebec", carried the ship's name into French naval vocabulary.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1750s xebec "small three-masted sailing ship", entered English naval terminology for the Mediterranean sailing vessel.