From Latincarnem ligat (from carnem, accusative of carō(“meat”) + ligat, third person singular present of ligō(“tie, bind”)), indicating that meat is forbidden. Compare Aromanian cãrleagã. For meaning, compare carnival, Italian carnevale (from carnemlevāre), Old Italian carasciale from carnemlaxāre, Spanish carnestolendas(“three days preceding the beginning of Lent”) (from carnistollendus).