The word 'gargoyle' originally came from French as 'gargouille'

'Gargoyle' is a word borrowed from French 'gargouille'. The word entered the English language some time around the 13th century.

gargoyle [noun] [13th century]

• a spout in the form of a grotesque human or animal figure projecting from a roof gutter to throw rainwater clear of a b...
• a grotesquely carved figure
• a person with an ugly face

See 'gargoyle' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

Etymology: Middle English 'gargule, gargoyl' from Old French 'gargoule'

See more loan words from 1200s.