macaroon

the word 'macaroon' entered english in the early 17th century from french 'macaron'. the french term was borrowed from italian 'maccarone' or dialectal 'macarone', meaning a dumpling or a food made from paste. this italian word likely derives from late latin 'maccarō', a kind of food, which itself may have roots in greek 'makaria', a barley broth or food made from barley. the semantic journey is from a general term for a simple, paste-based food in the mediterranean to the specific, sweet almond or coconut confection known today. the modern association with a delicate, often luxurious cookie developed after the word's adoption into english.

this word is a loanword adopted as a single unit into english. it does not contain productive morphemes from the perspective of modern english word formation.