Where does the word camouflage originate from?

The word "camouflage" originates from the French word "camoufler", which means "to disguise" or "to hide". It was first used in a military context during World War I, referring to the practice of concealing troops and equipment from enemy observation.

The word "camoufler" itself has a complex etymology, believed to have originated from a combination of the French words "camouflet", meaning "a puff of smoke", and "fleur", meaning "flower". This combination suggests an image of something being obscured or covered, like a flower being hidden by smoke.

Interestingly, the word "camouflage" wasn't widely adopted in English until after World War I, but it quickly gained popularity due to its evocative and descriptive nature.