Pudding

The word 'pudding' has a fascinating etymological journey. It entered English from the Old French 'boudin', which referred to a type of sausage. This Old French term itself is thought to derive from the Vulgar Latin *botellinus, a diminutive of *botellus, meaning 'small sausage' or 'intestine'.

Over time, the meaning in English broadened significantly. From its initial association with savory, sausage-like preparations, it evolved to encompass a wide range of dishes, both sweet and savory, often steamed or boiled. By the 17th century, 'pudding' was commonly used to describe the sweet, often custardy or cake-like desserts we associate with the word today, though savory puddings like Yorkshire pudding or black pudding still exist.