Where does “matelots” come from?
matelots (English) comes from English matelot, from Middle French matelot, from Old French matenot, from Middle Dutch mattenoot — bunk fellow.
matelots (English): plural of matelot
Ancestry of “matelots”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | matelot | A sailor; A mate; a boon companion |
| 2 | Middle French | matelot | sailor |
| 3 | Old French | matenot | sailor, bunkmate |
| 4 | Middle Dutch | mattenoot | bunk fellow |