For some odd reason, ISTR that it (aiglet) is also a botanical definition for a catkin.
Is it French?
It's easy to assume that the French for an eaglet must be an aiglet, but the dictionary has it as an aiglon.
However, there is a place in the Pyrenees (I think) called 'Rocher d'Aiglet'. I can't imagine that anyone would really name somewhere 'Rock of obscure part of a shoe'....
Edited to add: A quick search of a couple of databases reveals that it is the Old French for an Eaglet - at least according to Webster's Dictionary 1913 edition.
Last edited by Archimedes; 13th Mar 2004 at 09:47.