1352, "narrow, confined space or place," specifically of bodies of water from 1375, noun use of adj.
strait "narrow, strict" (c.1290), from O.Fr.
estreit (Fr.
étroit) "tight, close, narrow" (also used as a noun), from L.
strictus, pp. of
stringere "bind or draw tight" (see
strain (v.)). Sense of "difficulty, plight" (usually
straits) first recorded 1544.
Strait and narrow "conventional way of life" is recorded from c.1340 (see
straight (adj.2)).
Strait-laced is 1546, of stays or bodices; figurative sense of "over-precise, prudish" is from 1554.
Strait-jacket is attested from 1814, earlier
strait-waistcoat (1753).
[streyt] 
,
) a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water.
