targe

Meaning

Noun

• A small shield.
• A pendant or tassel.

Origin

• From Middle English targe, either:
• from Old French targe, from Frankish *targa ("buckler");
• or
• from Old English targa (masculine) and targe (feminine);
• both ultimately from Old Norse targa ("round shield") from Proto-Germanic *targǭ ("edge"), from Proto-Indo-European *derǵʰ- ("fenced lot"). Akin to Old High German zarga ("side wall, rim") (German Zarge ("border, frame")). However, the soft -g- seems to indicate a French origin.