What language does the word 'flute' originate from?

Answer 1

American Heritage Dictionary source online says this:

Middle English floute, from Old French flaute, from Old Provençal flaüt, perhaps a blend of flaujol,flageolet (from Vulgar Latin *flābeolum; see flageolet) and laut, lute.]

So it's French by way of Middle English, and we know that French, being a Romance language (like Italian and Spanish), has its roots in Latin. The Online Etymology Dictionary says this: c.1384, from O.Fr. flaute, from O.Prov. flaut, of uncertain origin, perhaps imitative or from L. flare "to blow;" perhaps influenced by Prov. laut "lute." The other Gmc. words (cf. Ger. flöte) are likewise borrowings from Fr. Ancient flutes were blown through a mouthpiece, like a recorder; the modern transverse or German Flute developed 18c. The modern design and key system of the concert flute were perfected 1834 by Theobald Boehm. The architectural sense of "furrow in a pillar" (1660) is from fancied resemblance to the inside of a flute split down the middle. Meaning "tall, slender wine glass" is from 1649. Flutist (1603), probably from Fr. flûtiste, replaced M.E. flouter and is preferred in U.S. British preference is flautist (q.v.), a Continental reborrowing that returns the original diphthong. This also explains the English term flautist for "flute player."