Middle English, borrowed from Old Norse karl "man, commoner" — more at churl
Note:
Old Norse karl is already reflected in the late Old English compounds hūscarl "member of a king's bodyguard" (Old Norse húskarl), carlmann "male, man" (Old Norse karlmaðr).
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of carl was
before the 12th century
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