flange

The precise origin of 'flange' is obscure, entering English in the late 17th century. It is likely an alteration of an earlier form, perhaps influenced by the Old French word 'flasche', also meaning 'flask' or 'bottle', which itself may derive from a Frankish source. The semantic connection may lie in the idea of a projecting lip or rim, a feature common to both flanges and the necks of flasks or bottles. Over time, its use became specialized in mechanical and engineering contexts to denote a distinct projecting rim used for attachment or reinforcement.

The word is a simplex. Its origin is uncertain but may be related to Old French flange or flasche, meaning 'a flange, a lip'. The functional role is as a complete lexical root.