1671, from Fr.
carton, from It.
cartone "strong, heavy paper, pasteboard," thus "preliminary sketches made by artists on such paper," augmentive of M.L.
carta "paper" (see
card (n.)). Extension to comical drawings in newspapers and magazines is 1843.
Cartoonist first recorded 1880.
"Punch has the benevolence to announce, that in an early number of his ensuing Volume he will astonish the Parliamentary Committee by the publication of several exquisite designs, to be called Punch's Cartoons!" ["Punch," June 24, 1843]