the word "vintage" entered english in the late 15th century from the anglo-french term "vendage," which itself derives from the old french "vendenge," meaning "the gathering of grapes." this old french word has its roots in the latin "vindemia," a compound of "vinum" (wine) and "demere" (to remove). originally, it referred specifically to the annual grape harvest and the wine produced from it. over time, the meaning broadened to denote the particular year a wine was made, and later, by metaphorical extension, it came to signify anything from a past period that is recognized for its high quality and enduring character, such as vintage cars or vintage fashion.

the word is a simplex loanword from french. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes using its current english spelling.