Origin: 1875–80; < French: literally, one who undertakes (some task), equivalent to entrepren(dre) to undertake (< Latin inter-inter- + prendere to take, variant of prehendere) + -eur-eur.See enterprise
1828, reborrowing of Fr. entrepreneur "one who undertakes or manages," from O.Fr. entreprendre "undertake." The word first crossed the Channel late 15c. but did not stay.