List of French words of Germanic origin (H-Z)
This List of French words of Germanic origin is a dictionary of Standard Modern French words and phrases deriving from any Germanic language of any period, whether incorporated in the formation of the French language or borrowed at any time thereafter.
Scope of the dictionary
The following list details words, affixes and phrases that contain Germanic etymons. Words where only an affix is Germanic (e.g. méfait, bouillard, carnavalesque) are excluded, as are words borrowed from a Germanic language where the origin is other than Germanic (for instance, cabaret is from Dutch, but the Dutch word is ultimately from Latin/Greek, so it is omitted). Likewise, words which have been calqued from a Germanic tongue (e.g. pardonner, bienvenue, entreprendre, toujours, compagnon, plupart, manuscrit, manoeuvre), or which received their usage or sense (i.e. were created, modified or influenced) due to Germanic speakers or Germanic linguistic habits (e.g. comté, avec, commun, on, panne, avoir, ça) are not included.
Many other Germanic words found in older versions of French, such as Old French and Anglo-French are no longer extant in Standard Modern French. Many of these words do, however, continue to survive dialectally and in English. See: List of English Latinates of Germanic origin.
Dictionary
H
- hache "hachet"
- hachure "hatching"
- hagard "haggard, wild"
- haie "hedge"
- haillon "rag, tatters"
- haine "hatred"
- haïr "to hate"
- haire "hair-shirt"
- halbran (Zoo.) "duckling"
- hâle "swarthy, sunburnt"
- haler "to haul"
- hâler "to dry up, to sunburn"
- halle "market"
- hallebarde "halberd"
- hallier "thicket" ( < ML hasla < *Frk hasal < Gmc, cf OHG hasala, MDu hasel)
- halte "halt"
- hameau "hamlet"
- hampe "handle, staff"
- hanap "goblet"
- hanche "hip, haunch"
- hanbane "henbane"
- hangar "shed, hangar" ( < MFr hanghart < Frk *haimgard < haim "home" < Gmc, cf OE hām + gard "protection, shelter, yard" < Gmc, cf OE ġeard)
- hanneton "beetle"
- Hanse "the Hanse"
- hanter "to frequent, haunt"
- happe "bed of an axle-tree"
- happer "to snap"
- haquenée "hackney, nag"
- haquet "a dray"
- harangue "harangue"
- haras "stud" ( < haraz < ON hārr < Gmc)
- harasser "to harass" ( < MFr harasser < OFr harrier "to harry" & harer < Frk *hara "here!" < Gmc, cf OHG hera, MDu hare)
- harceler "to harass, torment"
- hard "hardware"
- harde "herd"
- harde "leash"
- hardes "clothes" ( < harde < Gmc, infl in meaning by unrelated fardes)
- hardi "bold"
- hardiesse "boldness"
- hareng "herring"
- hargne "aggressive" ( < OFr hargner < Frk *harmjan "to insult, harm" < Gmc, cf OHG harmjan to scold, quarrel", OE hearm "harm")
- haricot "bean"
- haridelle "jade, harridan" ( < haras " < Gmc + -idelle)
- harnacher "to harness"
- harnais "harness" ( < OFr harneis, hernais < ON hernest "army supplies" < herr "army" < Gmc + nest "provisions" < Gmc, cf OE here "army")
- haro "hue and cry"
- harpe "harp"
- harper "to grip" ( < Frk *harpan "to seize" < Gmc, cf OHG harfan "to seize", OE hreppan "to touch", ON harpa "cramp")
- harpon "harpoon"
- hart "cord, rope"
- hase "female hare"
- hast "staff" ( < OFr haste "lance, roasting spit" < Lat hasta < Frk *harst "grill" < Gmc, cf OHG harst "roast", Dut harsten "to roast")
- hâte "haste"
- hâtier "spit-rest"
- hâtif "hasty, forward"
- hauban (Naut.) "stay, shroud"
- haubert "hauberk" ( < OFr hauberc, halberc < Frk *halsberg < Gmc, cf MHG halsberc)
- haut "high" ( < OFr haut, halt conflation of Lat altus and Frk *hauh < Gmc, cf OE hēah "high")
- hautain "haughty"
- hautbois "hautbois"
- hautesse (title) "highness"
- hauteur "height, haughtiness"
- hâve "pale, wan" ( < Frk *haswa- "pale, grey" < Gmc, cf MHG heswe "pallid", OE hasu, haswa" "grey, ashen")
- haver "to cut" ( < Dial Fr (Walloon) < Frk *hauwan "to cut"; *hauwa "hoe, cutting implement" < Gmc, cf OHG houwen "to cut, hew", OE hēawan "to cut, hew")
- averon "wild oats" ( < OHG habaro < Gmc)
- havre "harbour"
- havresac "knapsack" ( < havre-sac "oat-bag" < Germ Habersack < Gmc)
- heaume "helm"
- héberger "to harbour, lodge"
- héler "to hail" ( < ME heilen "to hail" < ON heill "health" < Gmc)
- hellequin "will-o-the-wisp"
- héraldique "heraldic"
- héraut "herald"
- hère "fellow, wretch" ( < Germ Herr or Dut heer < Gmc, cf OE hearra "lord")
- hère "young stag" ( < Dut hert < Gmc, cf Eng hart)
- hermine "ermine" ( < OFr hermine < Frk *harmo, harmin- "ermine, weasel" < Gmc, cf OHG harmo, harmin "weasel, ermine, stoat", OS harmo, OE hearma"ermine")
- héron "heron"
- hêtre "beech-tree"
- heurter "to strike" ( < OFr hurter "to knock into" < Frk *hūrtan "to ram into" < *hūrt < Gmc, cf MHG hurten "to collide with, run into", ON hrūtr "ram")
- hie "a tamper, a paviour's ram"
- hisser "to hoist"
- hobereau (Zoo.) "a hobby falcon"
- hochqueue (Zoo.) "a wagtail"
- hocher "to shake"
- hochet "a child's rattle"
- homard "lobster"
- honnir "to dishonour"
- honte "shame"
- honteux
- éhonté
- honteux "ashamed"
- hoque "small coat"
- hoquet "hiccup"
- hotte "basket"
- houblon "hop"
- houe "hoe"
- houille "coal" ( < Walloon hoie < Lat hullae < Frk *hukila "heap, mound" < hukk- < Gmc, cf Dut Dial heukel, MDu hokke, Germ Hocke)
- houle "billow" ( < Norm houle "cavity, rabbit hole" < ON hol "hole" < Gmc, cf OE hol "cave")
- houle "brothel" ( < OHG holi "hole" < Gmc, infl by OFr hore "whore" < Gmc)
- houlette "trowel, crook" ( < MFr hollette "shepherd's staff" < houler "to throw" < Frk *hollan < Gmc, cf MDu hollen "to run headlong")
- houppe (Zoo.) "a tuft, topknot"
- houppelande "overcoat"
- hourder "to roughcast"
- houseau "spatterdash"
- houspiller "to nag, worry, mob" ( < Norm gouspiller < a Gmc compound represented by OE hosp "injury, insult" + OE spillan "to waste, destroy", cf OE ūtspillan "to abuse, mistreat")
- housse "horse-cloth, housing"
- houssine "a switch"
- houssoir "a birch-broom"
- houx (Bot.) "holm oak, holly tree"
- hoyau "pickaxe, mattock"
- huche "bin" ( < OFr huche, huge < LL hutica < Gmc, cf OE hwicce "hutch")
- hucher "to whistle" ( < OFr huchier "to cry, shout" < LL huccare < Gmc *hukk-, cf MDu huuc "a shout")
- hucher "to perch" ( < Frk *hūkōn "to squat" < Gmc, cf MHG hūcken, Dut huiken, Germ hocken "to squat")
- huchet "hunting-horn"
- huguenot "huguenot" ( < Swiss Germ Eidgenosse < Eid < OHG eit "oath" < Gmc + Genosse < OHG ginōz "comrade" < Gmc, cf OE āþ "oath", OE ġenēat "comrade, companion")
- hune (Naut.) "top"
- huppe (Zoo.) "tuft, crest" ( < LL upupa < Gmc, cf ODu hoppe, huppe, LG huppup)
- huppé "crested"
- hure "head"
- hurluberlu "a fool"
- hutin "sharp"
- hutte "hut"
- huve "a type of old-fashioned haistyle"
I
- ice-boat
- ice-cream
- ice-field
- iceberg "iceberg"
- if (Bot.) "yew" ( < OFr iv, ivo < Frk *îwa < Gmc īwo-, īwa-, cf OHG īwa, OE īw "yew")
- inlay "inlay"
- input (Tech.) "input"
- insaissable "imperceptible"
- installer "to install" ( < MFr < ML installare < in- + stallum < Gmc, cf OE steall "place, stall")
- interbancaire "interbank"
- interbande "space between bands"
- intergroupe
- intra-groupe
- ive (Bot.) "yew"
- interlope "an interloper" ( < Eng interlope < interloper < inter- + loper < MDu lōper "runner" < lōpen "to run" < Gmc, cf OE hlēapan "to leap, run")
J
- jable "cross-groove, gable"
- japper "to yelp, bark" (< OFr japer, OPr jaupar < Gmc *galpōn "to yelp, bark, scream")
- jardin "garden" ( < OFr < Frk *gardo, gardin- "yard" < Gmc, cf OE ġeard "yard")
- jars "male goose, gander" ( < Frk *gard "spine, rod, pivot" < Gmc)
- jaser "to chatter, prattle" ( < ON gassi "prattler" < Gmc)
- jauger "to gauge" ( < OFr jauge, gauge < Frk *galga, galgo "measuring rod, pole" < Gmc, cf OE gealga "gallows")
- javeline "javelin"
- javelot "a javelin"
- job "job"
- jockey "jockey"
- joli "pretty"
- jucher "to perch, roost"
K
- K.O. "K.O., knockout"
- kart "go-cart"
- karting "carting"
- keepsake "keepsake, souvenir"
- kermesse "kirk-mass" ( < Flem kerkmisse)
- kick
- kick-starter
- kidnapper "to kidnap"
- kieselguhr
- king-charles
- kirsch-wasser (also kirschwasser) "kirsch-wasser" ( < Germ < Gmc)
- kit
- kitsch
- knickerbockers
- knickers
- knock-down
- knock-out
- knout
- kobold "cobalt"
- krach
- krack
- kraft
- kraken "kraken"
- kriegspiel
L
- laîche "sedge"
- laid "ugly"
- laie "a female pig, sow"
- laie "path" ( < ML leda < Frk *laid- < Gmc, cf ON leid "way, lode", OE lād "course, path")
- laisse
- laisser "to leave, let" ( OFr lesser, laisier < LL lassare "to let, let go, leave", partly from L laxare "to loosen"; partly from OHG lāzzan, lāzan "to let, let go, leave"; cf OE lǣtan "to let, leave, rent"; also from OFr laiier "to leave" < Frk *lagjan "to lay")
- lamaneur "pilot" ( < OFr laman, lomant < MDu lootsman < Gmc)
- lambeau "scrap"
- lambel "scrap, shred"
- lambourde "tie bar, joist"
- lambrequin (Archit.) "a scallop"
- lampas "lampas"
- lamper "to guzzle"
- lande "waste land, heath"
- lansquenet "lansquenet" ( < Germ Landsknecht "lands-knight" < Gmc)
- laper "to lap"
- lapereau "bunny rabbit" ( < lapriel < lap-, probably of Gmc origin, cf Frk *hlaupan "to run, jump", OE hlēapan "to leap, jump, run")
- lapin "rabbit"
- last "a last, weight"
- latte "lath"
- layer "to mark wood, bush-hammer"
- layette "thin layer, baby linen"
- lèche "thin slice"
- lécher "to lick"
- lège (Naut.) "light in weight or occupancy"
- lest "ballast"
- leste "brisk"
- lester "to ballast"
- let (tennis term < Eng let < Gmc)
- Lètes "Laeti"
- leude "a leud"
- leurre "a lure, decoy"
- lice "lists, tiltyard"
- lie "dregs, lye of wine"
- lige "liege"
- lingot "ingot"
- lippe "lip, pout"
- lippée "a mouthful, a meal"
- lippu "thick-lipped"
- liseré "edging, bordering, trim"
- lisière "edge"
- liste "list"
- listeau "blue strap"
- liston "scroll"
- liteau "a blue stripe"
- litre "a black band"
- living "living room, sitting room, parlour" ( < Eng < Gmc)
- loch "a ship's log"
- locher "to be loose"
- locman "a harbour pilot"
- lof "luff"
- loge "lodge, lobby"
- loger "to lodge"
- logeur
- déloger
- logis "a dwelling"
- lombes "loins" ( < Lat lumbus < Gmc *lundiz, landwin-, cf ON, lund, Frk *lendin "loins", OHG lentin, OE lendenu "loins" )
- lopin "bit, piece"
- loque "rag"
- loquet "locket"
- lorgner "to ogle"
- losange "lozenge" ( < OFr losenge < Frk *lausinga "flattery, fraud" < Gmc, cf OE lēasung "leasing")
- lot "lot, portion"
- loterie "lottery"
- lotir "to lot, apportion"
- loto "loto"
- louche "large spoon"
- louchet "grafting tool"
- louis (Monet.) "a louis"
- loup-garou "werewolf"
- loupe "magnifier, magnifying glass"
- loure "a loure (dance)"
- loutre "otter"
- louvoyer "to tack"
- lucarne
- lumbago "lumbago"
- luron "jolly fellow"
- lutin "a little one, elf, goblin"
M
- mâche "mash" ( < Gmc *maisk, cf Germ Maisch, OE māx "mash")
- mâcher "to beat, strike, smash" ( < Gmc, cf Germ matschen "to crush, smash")
- mâchurer "to blacken"
- macle (Bot.) "caltrop"
- macle (Min.) "macle; twin"
- macler "to twin"
- maçon "mason"
- macreuse (Zoo.) "black-diver"
- madré "speckled"
- magot "bags" ( < OFr mugot "hidden treasure" < musgot, musgode, musjoe < Gmc *musgauda)
- maint "many" ( < Gmc *manigiþō "a multitude, great quantity", cf MDu menichte "crowd, great number", OE menigþu)
- malart "drake, mallard"
- malle "a trunk"
- malt "malt"
- mandrin "chuck, mandrel" ( < Prov mandre < Gmc, cf Goth *manduls, ON mondull, MHG mandel)
- manne "hamper, basket" ( < Pic mande < Dut mand, mande < Gmc, cf OE mand "basket")
- mannequin "mannikin" ( < Dut manneken "little man" < man "man" < Gmc + -ken "-kin" < Gmc)
- maquereau (Zoo.) "mackerel"
- maquereau "brothel-keeper"
- maquiller "to make up" ( < OFr makier "to make, do, work" < MDu maken "to make" < Gmc, cf OE macian "to make")
- maquignon "horse-dealer"
- maraîcher "a kitchen gardener"
- marais "marsh; kitchen garden"
- maraud "knave, rascal" ( < OFr marault "beggar, vagabond" < OFr marir "to lose one's way" < OHG marrjan "to obstruct" < Gmc + -wald, -walt suffix < Gmc)
- marauder "to maraud"
- marc "mark"
- marc "dregs, residue"
- marcassin "a young boar"
- marche "march, military frontier"
- marche "march, walk"
- marchepied "a step-stair"
- marcher "to march, walk" ( < OFr marchier "to tread, move" < Frk *markōn "to mark, pace out" < Gmc)
- mare "pool, pond" ( < ON marr "sea, lake, pond" or Dut maer, maar "pond, lake, pool" < Gmc, cf OS meri "pond, pool", OHG meri "inland sea", OE mere" "mere, pool, pond")
- marécage "marsh"
- maréchal "mareschal, marshal"
- maréchaussée "tropp commanded by a mareschal"
- marmonner "to murmur" ( < ON < Gmc, cf Nor marma, Swed marra "to murmur", Germ murren, murmeln)
- marmotter "to mumble, mutter"
- maroufle "lining paste"
- marque "mark"
- marquer "to mark"
- marqueter "to chequer"
- marquis "marquis"
- marri "sad" ( < OFr marrir "to sadden" < Frk *marrjan < Gmc, cf OE mierran)
- marsouin (Zoo.) "porpoise" ( < ON marsvin < Gmc, cf OHG meri-suīn "mere-swine", Dut meerswijn)
- mash
- masque "mask"
- masquer
- massacrer "to massacre" ( < LL massacrium < Frk *matsekern < Gmc, cf LG matsken "to slaughter, massacre", Germ metzgern "to butcher")
- mat "dull, heavy"
- mât (Naut.) "mast"
- matelot "sailor" ( < Dut mattenoot < Gmc)
- matir (Metal.) "to dull, deaden"
- matois "swindler, gangster" ( < mate "place appointed for robbers" < Germ Matte < Gmc, cf Eng meadow)
- mâture "masts; wood for masts"
- mauvais "bad" ( < OFr malvais < *malvasi < Frk *balvasi "bad, malicious" < Gmc, cf OHG balvasi "bad, malicious", Goth balvavesei "spite, maliciousness", Icel bölv-, OE bealu, bealw- "bale, wicked, malicious". Influenced in form by Lat malus "bad, evil")
- mazette "bad horse; useless person" ( < Germ matz "awkward")
- mé- "mis-"
- mégarde "inadvertence"
- mégissier "leather-dresser" ( < OFr mégis < Gmc, cf Dut meuk "softening", ON mjūkr "soft")
- méringue "meringue" ( < MDu meringue "collation of the evening" < Gmc, cf MHG merunge < mëren "to soak bread in wine or water for dinner", MLG meringe < mern "to soak bread in wine or water for dinner")
- merlan (Zoo.) "whiting"
- merlin "marline" ( < Eng < Gmc)
- més- "mis-"
- mésange "titmouse"
- meurtre "murder" ( OFr murdre < L mordrum "murder" < Frk *murþar "murder" < Gmc, cf OHG murdrjan, murdjan "to murder", OE morþor "murder", Goth maurþr "murder")
- meurtrir "to kill, bruise"
- miche "loaf"
- micmac "an intrigue"
- mièvre "roguish" ( <esmievre "hastened" < ON snæfr" "fast, nimble" < Gmc)
- mignard "delicate"
- mignon "favourite, darling, minion" ( < OFr mign- < Gmc, cf OHG minnia "darling")
- mijaurée "a conceited wonam"
- mijoter "to cook gently and slowly, simmer"
- milord "lord, wealthy man"
- mitaine "mitten" ( < OFr mitaine "mitten, half-glove," from OFr mite "mitten" < ML mitta < MHG mittemo "half-glove" < OHG mittamo "middle, midmost")
- mite "tick, mite"
- miton "mitten"
- mitonner "to coddle"
- mitraille "grapeshot, old iron"
- moche ( < Frk *mokka "formless mass" < Gmc, cf Germ Mocke)
- momerie "masquerade, mummery" ( < OFr momer < Gmc, cf OHG mummen, MDu mommen "to act a mummer")
- moquer "to mock" ( < Picard moquer < MDu mocken "to mumble" < Gmc, cf MLG mucken "to grumble")
- morille (Bot.) "morel"
- morne "downcast, dull"
- motte "clod, mound"
- moue "pout"
- mouette "seagull, mew"
- moufle "glove, muffler"
- moufle (Chem.) "muffle"; system of pulleys"
- mouron (Bot.) "pimpernel"
- mousse "blunt"
- mousse (Bot.) "moss"; "foam, mousse"
- mousser "to foam"
- mousseron "mushroom"
- mufle "snout, muzzle"
- mulot "fieldmouse"
- musard "trifler; loitering"
- museau "muzzle"
- museler "to muzzle"
- muser "to dawdle"
- musser "to hide"
N
- nabot "dwarf" ( < OFr nimbot < ON nabbi "bump, knot" < Gmc)
- naguère "lately"
- nantir "to pledge, secure, take possession of"
- navrer "to wound"
- niche "prank, trick"
- nickel "nickel"
- nigaud "dunce" ( < OFr *nigald, niguald < Frk *niwald "newby, novice" < *niwi "new" + -wald, cf OHG niwi, niuwi "novice, beginner")
- nippe "clothes"
- nique "a mocking gesture" ( < ON < Gmc, cf Swed nyck "trick")
- nope "small knot"
- nord "north"
- Normand "Norman"
- noue "gutter-lead"
- nouille "noodle"
- nuque "nape of the neck"
O
- O.K. "O.K."
- off "Off-Broadway"
- off-shore (also offshore) "offshore"
- offset "paper used in offset printing processes"
- oflag "camp where captive officers in Germany were held during WWII"
- ohé (Interj.) "hey!, halt!"
- ohm "ohm"
- -ois adjective suffix ( < LL -iscus < Frk *-isk < Gmc, cf OE -isc "-ish")
- one woman show "one woman show"
- one-man show "one man show"
- one-step (Dance) "one-step"
- onlay (Dent.) "onlay"
- -ons (first person plural indicative ending of verbs, e.g. nous mangeons) ( < OFr -omes, -umes < Frk *-omês, -umês; cf OHG -omēs, -umēs)
- open (Sports) "open, sporting event"
- openfield "open field"
- orgueil "pride"
- osier "wicker"
- ouate "pads, waddling" ( < ML wadda < Gmc, cf Du watte, ON vað "cloth", Swed vadd, Eng wad)
- ouatine "quilt"
- ouest "west" ( < ME west < OE west < Gmc)
- out (Sports) "an out"
- outlaw "outlaw"
- output (Tech.) "output"
- oxford "oxford"
P
- pacotille "business venture; stock of goods"
- paletot "large coat, cardigan"
- papelard "hypocrite"
- paquet "packet"
- parc "park" ( < OFr < ML *parricus < Frk *parruk < Gmc, cf OHG pfarrih "fencing, enclosure", OE pearruc "enclosure, park, paddock", Dut park "park")
- parquer "to pen"
- parquet "parquet floor"
- pataud "lump; young dog"
- patauger "to splash, dabble"
- patin "skate"
- patois "patois" ( lit. "clumsy speech" < OFr patoier "to handle clumsily" < pate "paw" < LL patta, pauta < Gmc, cf Germ Pfote "paw", LG pote, Dut poot "paw")
- patte "paw"
- pec "newly salted"
- pic "pike, pickax"
- picoter "to pick"
- picotin "peck of oats"
- pincer "to pinch" ( < Wal pissi < Ven pizzare < Gmc, cf Dut pitsen, Germ pfetzen, pfitzen)
- pincette "tweezers"
- pingouin "penguin" ( < Eng)
- pinte "pint"
- pioche "picaxe"
- pique-nique "pic-nic" ( < Eng)
- piquer "to prick"
- piquet "piquet (card game)"
- pistole "pistole"
- pistolet "pistol"
- pivert (Zoo.) "the green woodpecker"
- placage "metal plating"
- placard "placard"
- plafond "ceiling" ( < plat "flat" < Gmc + fond "bottom")
- plaque (Metal.) "plate"
- plat "flat" ( < OFr < LL *plattus < Gmc, cf Germ platt "flat", OE plot "plot, piece of ground")
- plateau "tray, plateau"
- platine "plate"
- platine (Metal.) "platina"
- pleige "pledge"
- pleutre "coward" ( < Flem pleute "rascal, good-for-nothing" < Gmc)
- ploc (Naut.) "sheathing-hair"
- poche "pocket"
- poltron "coward" ( < Ital poltrone < poltro "lazy" < OHG polstar "cushion" < Gmc, cf OE bolster "bolster, cushion")
- pompe "pump"
- pompe "pump (shoe)"
- pot "pot"
- pot "hole in the ground"
- potage "soup"
- potasse (Chem.) "potash" ( < Germ Pottasche or Eng potash < pot + ash < Gmc)
- pote "pal; large-handed"
- potelé "plump"
- poterie "pottery"
- potier "a potter"
- potin "pewter; gossip"
- potiron "pumpkin"
- poudingue "pudding"
- pouf "to puff"
- poulie "pulley" ( < Gmc, cf OE pullian "to pull")
- prame (Naut.) "pram"
- punch "a punch" ( < Eng < Gmc)
Q
- Quaker "a Quaker" ( < Eng < Gmc)
- quartz "quartz" ( < Germ Quarz)
- quenotte "a child's tooth, baby-tooth" ( < OFr quenne < ON kenna < Gmc, cf Icel kenna)
- quiche "quiche" ( < Germ Küche "little cake" < Kuchen "cake" < Gmc)
- quille "keel" ( < ON kilir, pl of kjǫlr "keel" < Gmc, cf OE ċēol "ship")
- quille "skittle" ( < MHG kegel < OHG kegil "stake, post" < Gmc, cf OE cǣġ "key")
- -quin adjective suffix
- quinquin "small child" ( < Flem kinken < kind "child" < Gmc + -ken "-kin" < Gmc)
- quincaille "ironmongery"
R
- rabâcher "to repeat over and over"
- raboter "to plane"
- rabougrir "to be stunted"
- rabrouer "to snub, scout"
- racaille "mob"
- raccrocher "to re-hook, hook again" ( < re- + Fr accrocher < Fr croc < ON krókr "hook" < Gmc)
- race "race, lineage" ( < It razza < Lomb raiza "line" < Gmc, cf OHG reiza "line")
- rade "road"; (Naval.) "roadstead" ( < ME rade, raid "road, journey" < OE rād < Gmc)
- rader "to travel"
- radoter "to dote"
- radoub "repair, refitting"
- radouber (Naut.) "to refit"
- rafler "to carry off"
- rafraîchir "to refresh, cool"
- ragaillardir "to cheer up"
- ragréer "to restore, finish"
- raguer (Naut.) "to chafe"
- râle (Med.) "a rattle"
- râler "to have a rattling in the throat"
- ralingue "a bolt-rope"
- ramequin "small cake with cheese"
- rampe "flight of stairs"
- ramper "to crawl"
- ranche "wooden peg" ( < OFr < Frk *runka < hrunga "rung" < Gmc, infl by *hranka "vine shoot, gimlet" < Gmc, cf MDu ranke "branch")
- rancher "peg-ladder"
- randonner "to hike" ( < OFr randon < randir "to run" < rant "a run" < Frk *rand "a run" < Frk *rinnan "to run" < Gmc)
- rang "rank, row"
- ranz "ranz des vaches"
- râpe "a rasp, grater, grate"
- râpe "stalk (of grapes), stem"
- râper "to grate, rasp"
- râpure "raspings"
- ras "fast ocean current" ( < ON rās "current, course, race" < Gmc)
- rat "rat"
- ratatiner "to shrivel up"
- rate "spleen, milt"
- rater "to misfire"
- ratine "cloth"
- raton "racoon"
- rattacher "to re-attach"
- rattraper "to recapture"
- rayon "honeycomb" ( < Frk *hrâta cf M.Dut "rata" )
- rebander "to retie, refasten"
- rebâtir "to rebuild"
- reblanchir "re-whiten"
- reborder "to re-edge, reborder"
- rebouteur "a bone-setter"
- reboutonner "to rebutton"
- rebrider "to rebridle"
- rebroder "to reimbroider"
- rebrousser "to turn back"
- rebuter "to repel"
- receper "to cut down" ( < re- + cep "stock" < Lat cippus "stake, beam" < Gmc, cf OE cipp "beam, chip of wood", Dut kip "strip of wood")
- réche "rough"
- réchigner "to look cross"
- recracher "to spit out again"
- redingote "frock-coat"
- refrapper "to strike again"
- regagner "to regain"
- regain "return"
- regain "aftermath"
- régal "treat, banquet"
- régaler "to regale"
- regarder "to look"
- regarnir "to refurbish"
- regimber "to kick" ( < re- + gimber < gibier < Gmc)
- regratter "to re-scratch, rabate, bargain"
- regretter "to regret"
- reître "rider, horseman" ( < Germ reiter < Gmc)
- relayer "to relieve" ( < re- + OFr layer "to stop, continue, leave" < LL latare < Gmc, cf Goth lātan)
- relai
- reluquer "to ogle" ( < re- + OFr luquier "to look" < M.Dut loeken )
- remarquer "to remark"
- remballer "to repack"
- remblayer "to embank"
- rembrunir "to darken"
- rempocher "to repocket"
- rempoter "to repot"
- renard "fox"
- rengager "to re-engage"
- renifler "to sniff at"
- renne "reindeer"
- reps "rep (fabric)" ( < Eng ribs < Gmc)
- requinquer "to spruce up"
- ressac "surf"
- ressaisir "to re-seize"
- retaper "to comb the wrong way"
- retirer "to remove, withdraw"
- retomber "to fall again"
- retoucher "to retouch"
- retouche
- rêvasser "to dream, muse"
- rêve "dream" ( < rêver "to dream" < OFr resver "to consider, reflect, be delirious" < Frk *rēswan, rāswjan "to counsel, reason, suggest" < Gmc, cf OE rǣswan "to think, suppose, consider, suspect, conjecture, reflect")
- rêver
- revêche "harsh, sharp" ( < OFr ruvesche "savage, without pity" < Frk *hreubisck "hard, rough" < Gmc, cf ON hriūfr "rough")
- rêver "to dream"
- rêveur
- rêverie
- rhum "rum" ( < Eng rum)
- ribote "drunkenness, debauchery"
- ricaner "to sneer" ( < rec(h)aner "to bray" < Norm cane "tooth" < Frk *kinni "jaw, chin" < Gmc, cf OHG chinni "chin", OE cinn "chin")
- richard "a married man"
- riche "rich" ( < OFr < Frk *rīki "rich" < Gmc, cf OHG rīhhi, OE rīċe)
- richesse "riches"
- ricocher "to ricochet"
- ride "wrinkle"
- rideau "screen, curtain"
- ridelle "side-panel" ( < OFr "amount of wood on each side of a cart to keep the load" < MHG reidel "log" < Gmc, cf Germ Reitel)
- rider "to wrinkle"
- rigodon "rigadoon" ( < earlier rigaudon < Rigaud (personal name) < Gmc)
- rigole "a trench" ( < It rigoro < Gmc, cf OHG riga "line", LG rige "creek")
- rimailler "rhymster" ( < OFr rime < Frk *rīm < Gmc *rīma-n "number, series" + -aille, cf OHG rīm, OE rīm)
- rime "rhyme" ( < OFr rime < Frk *rīm < Gmc *rīma-n "number, series", cf OHG rīm, OE rīm)
- rimer "to rhime, rime"
- rincer "to rinse" ( < OFr raïncer, raïncier < ON hreinsa "to rinse, clean, wipe" < Gmc *hraina-z "clean, pure", cf Goth hrains "clean")
- ringard "poker, fuddy-duddy" ( < Wallon ringuèle "lever" < Germ (dial.) rengel "log")
- riolé "striped" ( < rigolé < rigole < OHG rīga "line" < Gmc)
- rioter "riot" ( < OFr rihoter, riotter < Gmc, cf Flem revot, ravot "to rub, excite", OHG rīban "to rub")
- ripaille "good cheer, feasting"
- riper "to scrape, drag"
- ripe
- ris "sweetbread" ( < rides (de veau) < ride < Gmc)
- rissoler "to roast brown"
- river "to clench, rivet"
- rix-dale "rix-dollar" ( < Germ reichsthaler < Gmc)
- rob "a rubber" (of whist) ( < Eng rubber < Gmc)
- robe "dress"
- robin
- robinet "cock, tap"
- robinier "robinia"
- rochet "ratchet"
- rochet "garment worn under a mantle"
- rogue "proud" ( < ON hrōkr < Gmc)
- roquet "a pug (dog)"
- roquette "rocket" ( < It rocchetto "rocket, bobbin" < rocca "distaff, spindle" < Gmc *rukka-, cf Goth *rukka, OHG rocco "distaff", ON rokkr)
- rosbif "roastbeef" ( < Eng)
- roseau "a reed"
- rosse "a nag, poor horse"
- rosser "to thrash"
- rôt "roast"
- rôtir "to roast"
- rôtisseur "cookshop master"
- rouan "roan horse" ( < MFr roan < Sp roano < OSp raudano < Goth raudan, obj case of rauda "red one" < rauðs "red", cf OE rēad "red")
- rouf "cuddy"
- rouf "deckhouse" ( < Dut roef, cf Eng "roof" )
- rouffe "scabies"
- rouir "to ret"
- roussin "a hack, stallion"
- rouvieux "mangy"
- ruban "ribbon"
- rustine "rubber repair patch" ( < Germ Rück "back" + Stein "stone" )
S
- sabord "port-hole"
- sabot "wooden shoe"
- sabre "sabre"
- sabretache "sabretache"
- sac "plunder, sack"
- saccade "shake, jerk"
- saccager "to pillage"
- safre "greedy, gluttonous" ( < Gmc, cf OHG seifar "mouth-watering, salivating", Goth safjan "to savour, enjoy")
- saisie "legal execution"
- saisir "to seize" ( OFr < Lat sacire < Frk *sakjan "to claim" and *satjan "to place, establish", both < Gmc, cf OE sēcan "to seek" & OHG sazjan "to place")
- saisissable "seizable"
- sale "dirty" ( < Gmc, cf OHG salo "dull, sallow, dirty")
- saleté "dirtiness"
- salir "to dirty"
- salle "hall"
- sarrau "frock, smock" ( < MHG sarroc "military garment" < Gmc)
- saule "willow"
- saur "dried"
- savon "soap" ( < Lat saponem < Gmc saipō, saipōn-, cf OHG seifa "soap", OE sāpe "soap")
- savonner "to soap"
- schelling "shilling" ( < Eng < Gmc)
- schlague "military flogging" ( < Germ schlag < Gmc)
- scion
- scruter
- scrutin
- sénau (Naut.) "a two-masted vessel" ( < Dut snaauw < Gmc)
- sénéchal "seneschal"
- sénéchaussée "a seneschal's court"
- sens "sense, reason"
- sens "side of an object considered according to its orientation"
- siller (Naut.) "to trail ahead, make a wake" ( < ON sila < Gmc)
- sillon "furrow"
- sillonner "to trace"
- sloop "sloop" ( < Eng < Gmc)
- snob
- sobriquet "nickname" ( < OFr sot + briquet < Gmc)
- soigner "to attend to"
- soin "care" ( < OFr soing < Frk *sunnia "concern" < Gmc)
- sonde "fathom line"
- sonder "to sound" ( < OFr sonder < sonde "sounding line" < Gmc, cf ON & OE sund "water, sea")
- sondeur "leadsman"
- souhait "a wish"
- souhaiter "to wish"
- souille ( < OFr souil "quagmire, marsh" < Frk *saulja "wallow, mire" < Gmc, cf OE syle "wallow, miry-place")
- souiller "to sully" ( < OFr soillier, souillier "to wallow in mire" < Frk *sulljan, *sauljan < Gmc, cf OE solian, sylian "to soil", Dan søle "to soil")
- soupe "soup"
- souper "to sup"
- soupière "tureen"
- spalt "spalt"
- spath "spar"
- spirite
- stalle "stall"
- stathouder "statholder"
- stockfisch "stockfish" ( < Dut stocvisch )
- stop
- stras "strass"
- stribord "starboard"
- stuc "stucco"
- sud "south"
- suie "soot" ( < Gmc, cf OE sōtig "sooty")
- suint "grease"
- suinter "to ooze" ( < OFr suiter < Frk *switan "to sweat" < Gmc, cf OHG suizan "to sweat", Dut sweeten "to sweat")
- sur "sour"
- surin "young apple tree"
- surlonge "sirloin"
T
- tache "spot"
- tacher "to stain"
- taisson "badger" ( < OFr tais < LL taxus < Gmc, cf OHG þahs "badger")
- talk-show "talk show"
- taler "to hurt someone" ( < taler, taller "to bruise" < Gmc *talōn "to snatch", cf OHG zālōn "to tear, remove")
- taloche "thump on the head"
- tamis "sieve" ( < LL *tamisium < Frk *tamisa < Gmc, cf MDu temse, teemse "sifter")
- tampon "plug"
- tan "tan"
- tangage (Naut.) "pitching"
- tanguer (Naut.) "to pitch"
- tanière "lair"
- tanin "tannin"
- tanner "to tan"
- tapage "uproar"
- tape "tap, slap"
- taper "to slap"
- tapinois (en) "stealthily"
- tapir "to crouch"
- tapon "bundle"
- tapoter "to slap"
- taquer "to jolt"
- tarabuster "to pester"
- targe "target"
- tarir "to dry up"
- tas "heap"
- tassement "a sinking, subsidence"
- tasser "to subside"
- taud "rain awning"
- taudis "slum"
- terne (Bot.) "ternal"
- teter "to suckle"
- tétin "nipple"
- tetine "an udder"
- teton "a teat"
- tette "a nipple, teat"
- Thiois
- tic "tic, twitch" ( < Gmc, cf Germ dial zecken, Germ zucken)
- tillac "a deck"
- tique "tick"
- tir "a shooting"
- tirailler "to pull, pester"
- tirer "to draw"
- tocsin "tocsin, bell" ( < toquesin < toque < Gmc + sin "bell)
- tomber "to fall" ( < MFr tumber < OFr tumer < Frk *tumōn < Gmc, cf OHG tūmōn "to reel, turn", ON tumba "to dance", OE tumbian "to dance, tumble")
- tonne "tun"
- tonneau "cask"
- tonneler "to tunnel"
- tonnelier "a cooper"
- tonnelle "a vault, arbour"
- toper "to hold the suggested stake (at dice)"
- toque "a cap" ( < It tocca < Lomb tōh "pack" < Gmc)
- toquer "to offend" ( < LL *toccare "to knock" < Gmc, cf OHG zuchōn "to strike, jerk", OE tucian "to offend, mistreat")
- touaille "towel, tablecloth" ( < OFr toaille < ML toacula < Frk *þwahlja < Gmc, cf OHG dwahilla)
- toucher "to touch" ( < OFr touchier, tochier < LL *toccare "to knock, strike" < Gmc, OHG zucchōn "to jerk, tug", OE tucian "to mistreat, abuse")
- touer "to tow"
- touffe "tuft" ( < OFr toffe < Frk *topp- < Gmc, cf Germ Zopf "braid", LG topp)
- toupet "tuft of hair" ( < OFr toupe < Frk *topp- < Gmc)
- toupie "spinning top" ( < OFr topie < Gmc, cf Eng top)
- tourbe "peat, turf"
- trac "track"
- tracasser "to torment"
- transborder "to tranship"
- trappe "trap door, trap"
- trapu "squat, stubby" ( < OFr trape < Gmc, cf OHG taphar, tapar "heavy")
- traquenard "trap"
- traquer "to track"
- trébucher "to stumble" ( < OFr tresbucher < Lat transbuccare < trans- + buccare < buccus < Frk *būk "belly, trunk" < Gmc, cf OHG būh "stomache", OE būc "belly")
- trépigner "to stomp"
- trêve "truce"
- tribord "starboard" ( < OFr estribord < Gmc)
- tricher "to trick, cheat" ( < OFr trecher < MHG trechen "to shoot at, play a trick on", Dut trek "trick")
- trick
- tricoter "to knit"
- trier ( < OFr trier "to pull out from among others, choose, cull", variant of tirer "to pull out, snatch" < Goth. tiran "to pull away, remove" < Gmc., cf OE teran "to tear away")
- trille "trill" ( < It trillo < Gmc, cf Dut trillen, ME trillen)
- trimballer "to drag about" ( < earlier trinque-baller, alt. of treque-baller < MDu trekken "to drag" < Gmc)
- trimer "to run about" ( < OFr trumer < trum "calf, leg" < Frk *þrum "stub" < Gmc, cf OHG drum "end")
- tringle "line out, curtain-rod"
- trinquer "to clink glasses" ( < Germ trinken "to drink" < Gmc)
- tripatouiller ″to tamper″
- tripe "tripe" ( < OFr estripe < Gmc, cf OHG striepe, strippe "belt, thin strap")
- tripoter "to grope"
- trique "club, cudgel"
- troche "cluster" ( < LL *drupea, trupea < Gmc, cf OHG drupo, Germ Traube "grape")
- troène (also *truèle) "privet" ( < OFr < Frk *trugil "little trough; hard wood" < Gmc *trūgoz, cf OHG trugilboum, harttrugil "dogwood; privet", OE trōg "trough")
- trôler "to drag or lounge about"
- trombe "waterspout"
- trombone "trombone"
- trompe "trumpet, horn"
- tromper "to deceive"
- trompette "trumpet"
- trop "too much"
- trotter "to trot"
- trouille "fear"
- troupe "troop"
- troupeau "flock"
- troupier "trooper"
- truisme "truism"
- trumeau "leg of beef"
- tunnel "tunnel" ( < Eng < Fr < Gmc)
- turf "turf" ( < Eng < Gmc)
- tuyau "pipe, tube, hose" ( < MFr tuyel < OFr tuiel, tuel < Frk *þūta < Gmc, cf OHG tuda, MDu tūte "pipe")
U
- ulster "ulster coat, overcoat"
- ulster-coat "ulster coat"
- ultra-chic "ultra-chic"
- ultra-gauche (also ultragauche) "far-left"
- ultra-gauchisme (also ultragauchisme)
- ultra-gaullisme "ultra-gallic"
- ultra-gaulliste "an ultra-gallic"
- ultra-hertzien (also ultrahertzien) "ultra-hertzien"
- ultra-snob "super conceited"
- umlaut "umlaut"
- up to date "modern"
- uppercut (Sports) "uppercut"
- ure (also urus) "aurochs" ( < MHG ūr < Gmc)
- urf "turf"
V
- vacarme "uproar" ( < Dut wacharmer)
- vagon "wagon"
- vague "wave" ( < ON vagr "water in motion, billow, wave" < Gmc, cf OHG wag, Goth wegs, ME waw "wave")
- vaguemestre "baggage handler"
- valser "to waltz"
- vandale "vandal"
- varangue "floor of a ship"
- varech "kelp, sea-wrack"
- varlope "a jointer, plane"
- vase "slime, mud"
- vasistas "casement window" ( < Germ "Was ist das?" < Gmc)
- verbiage "verbiage" ( < OFr werbloier < Frk *werbilôn, cf English "warble" "whirl" and "twirl" )
- vindas "windlass"
- voguer "to row"
- vrac "in a jumble" ( < Dut wrac, cf Eng "wreck", "wrack", "varec", "wreak", "wretch" )
W
- W.C. (also W.C) "toilette" ( < Eng water closet)
- wad
- wading
- wagage
- wagnérien
- wagnerolâtre
- wagnéromane
- wagnéromanie
- wagon "wagon"
- walhalla
- walk-over
- walkie-talkie
- walkyrie
- wallingant
- wallon
- warrant "warrant"
- washingtonia
- wassingue
- water
- watt
- wavellite
- weber
- webstérite
- week-end "weekend" ( < Eng < Gmc)
- welche
- wellingtonia
- weltanschauung
- welter
- wergeld
- wernérite
- werthérien
- western
- westphalien
- westphalienne
- wharf
- whig
- whipcord
- whist "whist" ( < Eng < Gmc)
- white spirit
- whitérite
- wili
- willémite
- willemite
- willi
- williams
- winch
- winchester
- wintergreen
- wisigoth
- withérite
- witloof
- wolfram
- wollastonite
- würmien
- würtzite ( also wurtzite)
Y
- yacht "yacht" ( < Eng < Dut < Gmc)
- yankee
- yard
- yass
- yawl
- yé-yé (also yéyé)
- yearling
- yeoman
- yo-yo (also yoyo)
- yole "yawl" ( < Dut jol or LG jolle, a type of small boat < Gmc)
Z
- zapper
- zappeur
- zapping
- zeppelin
- zig (also zigue)
- zigzag "zigzag" ( < Germ Zickzack < Zacke "tack, cog, tooth" < Gmc)
- zinc "zinc" ( < Germ Zink < Zinke "prong, tine" < Gmc)
- zinguer
- zinnia
- zip
- zoom
See also
- History of French
- Old Frankish
- Franks
- List of Spanish words of Germanic origin
- List of Portuguese words of Germanic origin
- List of Galician words of Germanic origin
- List of French words of Gaulish origin
Notes
References
- Auguste Brachet, An Etymological Dictionary of the French Language: Third Edition
- Auguste Scheler, "Dictionnaire d'étymologie française d'après les résultats de la science moderne" (French)
- Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales (French)
- Dictionary.com
- Friedrich Diez, "An Etymological Dictionary of the Romance Languages"
- Dossier des Latinistes, La Greffe Germanique (French)
- Thomason, Sarah Grey; Kaufman, Terrence (1991) [1988]. Language Contact, Creolization, and Genetic Linguistics (1st pbk. print. ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-07893-2.