Etymology

From Latin carnem ligat (from carnem, accusative of carō ‎(“meat”) + ligat, third person singular present of ligō ‎(“tie, bind”)), indicating that meat is forbidden. Compare Romanian cârneleagă. For meaning, compare carnival, Italian carnevale (from carnem levāre), Old Italian carasciale from carnem laxāre, Spanish carnestolendas ‎(“three days preceding the beginning of Lent”) (from carnis tollendus).