Is 'gimlet' English, or is it actually French?

'Gimlet' is a word borrowed from French 'guimbelet'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

gimlet [noun] [14th century]

A small tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and cross handle for boring holes

See 'gimlet' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French 'guimbelet' from Middle French (Picard), modification of Middle Dutch 'wimmelkijn' from 'wimmel' wimble

See more loan words from 1300s.