English
grillage
Grillage comes from French grillage.
- Frenchc. 1600–presentgrillage
- Englishearliest quotation 2003same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history not traced here.
Lineage
- Frenchc. 1600–presentgrillage
- Englishearliest quotation 2003same form
Earliest quotation: 2003, Erik Larson, The Devil in the White City: “Workers laid foundations of immense timbers in crisscrossed layers…”
The story
Originated 1770–80 from French grillage.
Every English word from French grillage
Today it means
noun A foundation of crisscrossing timber or steel beams, usually for spreading heavy loads over large areas.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / French grillage / grillage