section_path: Etymology
section_name: Etymology
paragraph_text: Etymology
  
  The word spice originated in Middle English, from the Old French words espece, espis(c)e, and espis(c)e. According to the Middle English Dictionary, the Old French words came from Anglo-French spece; according to Merriam Webster, the Old-French words came from Anglo-French espece, and espis. Both publications agree that the Anglo-French words are derived from Latin species. Middle English spice had its first known use as a noun in the 13th century.