1625, "university degree of a bachelor," from M.L.
baccalaureus "student with the first degree," altered by a play on words with
bacca lauri "laurel berry" (laurels being awarded for academic success). The M.L. word perhaps ultimately is derived from L.
baculum "staff" (see
bacillus), which the young student might carry, but it is more likely just a Latinization of
bachelor (q.v.) in its academic sense. In modern U.S. usage, the word usually is short for
baccalaureate-sermon (1864), a religious farewell address to the graduating class.
[bak-uh-lawr-ee-it, -lor-] 
əˈlɔr
