"edible snail," 1892, from Fr.
escargot, from O.Fr.
escargole (14c.), from Prov.
escaragol, ult. from V.L.
*coculium, from classical L.
conchylium "edible shellfish" (see
cockle). The form of the word in Prov. and Fr. seems to have been influenced by words related to
scarab.