ribald

Meanings

Adjective

• Coarsely, vulgarly, or lewdly amusing; referring to sexual matters in a rude or irreverent way.

Noun

• An individual who is filthy or vulgar in nature.

Origin

• From Middle English ribald, from Old French ribaud, ribauld ( > English ribaud), from Old French riber, from Frankish *rīban, from Proto-Germanic *wrībaną, from Proto-Indo-European *werp-, *werb- + Old French -aud, from Frankish *-wald.
• Related to Old High German rīban, German reiben, Dutch wrijven. Compare also Old High German hrība. See also English wrap.