relish

The word 'relish' entered Middle English around the 14th century from the Anglo-Norman 'reles' and Old French 'relais', meaning "something left behind" or "a remainder." This origin connects to the verb 'relaisser' (to leave behind), from Latin 'relaxare' (to loosen, slacken). The semantic journey from "a remainder" to "a taste or flavor" likely stemmed from the idea of an aftertaste or a distinctive flavor left in the mouth. By the 16th century, this concrete meaning for a savory condiment evolved further into the abstract sense of "enjoyment" or "zest," completing the transition from a physical leftover to a pleasurable sensation.

This word is a simplex loanword. Its core form was adopted into English from Anglo-Norman and Old French, where it originally meant "something left behind" or "remainder." The functional role of the entire word shifted semantically in English.