The word 'bailiff' originally came from French as 'bailli'

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

bailiff [noun] [14th century]

• an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions
• a minor officer of some United States courts usually serving as a messenger or usher
• one who manages an estate or farm

See 'bailiff' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Middle English 'baillif, bailie' from Anglo-French 'baillif' from 'bail' power, authority, office, from 'baillier' to govern, administer, from Medieval Latin 'bajulare' to care for, support, from Latin, to carry a burden

See more loan words from 1300s.