Langouste
/lɑ̃.ɡust/noun
A large spiny lobster, especially one found in warm seas.
Did you know?Langouste is a French loanword ultimately from Latin *locusta*, the same word that could mean both a locust and a lobster, showing how ancient languages grouped strange, scuttling creatures together.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
locusta
“A locust; later also a lobster or similar crustacean.”
Late Latin
Latin
*langusta
“A variant form used in Romance languages for a lobster or spiny lobster.”
Old French
Old French
langouste
“A lobster or spiny lobster.”
Middle English
English
languste
“A spiny lobster, borrowed from French in specialized use.”
Modern English
English
langouste
“A spiny lobster, especially in culinary contexts.”