Etymology

From Old French espagneul, espaigneul, Frenchified from Old Provençal espaignol ‎(“Spanish”), from Vulgar Latin *Hispāniolus ‎(“Spanish”), from Hispānia ‎(“Spain”). First used as Espainholz in the 14th century by Gaston III of Foix, who described them in a book on hunting. An alternative theory derives it from the Old French verb espeignir ‎(“lay down”), in reference to the behavior of the dogs when hunting game. However, it more likely means "from Spain", as Gaston brought them back from there. Compare also espagnol.

Pronunciation