Drapeau
/dʁapo/noun
A flag or banner, especially a national flag.
Did you know?French *drapeau* is tied to *drap* (“cloth”), ultimately from Latin *drappus*, so a nation’s symbol began as just a piece of hanging fabric that could rally people into war.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰrebʰ-
“To beat, strike, or work cloth by pounding”
Late Latin
Latin
drappus
“A piece of cloth, rag, or drapery”
Old French
Old French
drap
“Cloth, especially woolen cloth”
Old French
Old French
drapeau
“A small piece of cloth; a banner or flag”
Modern French
French
drapeau
“A flag or banner”