Here's a breakdown of the origins:
* "Au" is a French preposition meaning "in" or "to."
* "Jus" is the French word for "juice."
Therefore, "Au Jus" literally translates to "in the juice," referring to the sauce made by reducing the meat's natural juices.
This term is commonly used in culinary contexts to describe a sauce or gravy served with roasted meats, especially beef.