English
convoy
Convoy comes from Old French convoier, and goes back to Vulgar Latin *convio.
- Vulgar Latinc. 100–700 CE*convioreconstructed
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400convoier
- Englishearliest quotation 1867convoy
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Vulgar Latinc. 100–700 CE*convioreconstructed
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400convoier
- Englishearliest quotation 1867convoy
Earliest quotation: 1867, Ralph Waldo Emerson, May-Day: “I know ye skilful to convoy / The total…”
Linked words
through Vulgar Latin *convio
Today it means
noun One or more merchant ships sailing in company to the same general destination under the protection of naval vessels.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Vulgar Latin *convio / convoy