Origin: 1650–60; < French régaler, derivative of régal(e), Old French rigale, derivative of gale festivity (with prefix of rigoler to amuse oneself), derivative of galer to make merry; see gallant
1656, from Fr. régaler "to entertain or feast," from O.Fr. rigale, from gale "merriment," from galer "make merry" (see gallant). Influenced in O.Fr. by se rigoler "amuse oneself, rejoice," of unknown origin. It. regalo is from Fr.