farouche

adjective

fa·​rouche fə-ˈrüsh 

1

: wild

2

: marked by shyness and lack of social graces

Did you know?

In French, farouche can mean "wild" or "shy," just as it does in English. It is an alteration of the Old French word forasche, which derives via Late Latin forasticus ("living outside") from Latin foras, meaning "outdoors." In its earliest English uses, in the middle of the 18th century, farouche was used to describe someone who was awkward in social situations, perhaps as one who has lived apart from groups of people. The word can also mean "disorderly," as in "farouche ruffians out to cause trouble."

Word History

Etymology

French, wild, shy, from Old French, alteration of forasche, from Late Latin forasticus living outside, from Latin foras outdoors; akin to Latin fores door — more at door

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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