Etymology Dictionary

FARM,  ground let for cultivation.  (L.)   M.E. ferme, Chaucer, C. T. 253.—A.S. feorm, a feast, entertainment; Luke, xiv. 12, 16; also food, hospitality, property, use; see Grein, i. 293.   Spelt farma in the Northumbrian version of Luke, xiv. 16.   And spelt ferme in O.F.—Low Lat. firma, a feast, a farm, a tribute; also, a lasting oath.   Lat. firmus, firm, durable.   See Firm. [※]   ¶ For the curious use of the word, see firma in Ducange.   Der. farm, verb; farm-er, farm-ing.

ERRATA

Rather (F.,—L.) than (L.)   I greatly doubt the connection with A.S. feorm, a feast, though the connection has often been asserted.   Even the A.S. feormere is rather 'purveyor' than 'farmer;' besides which, the A.S. feorm is prob. Teutonic, and independent of Lat. firma.   The M.E. ferme occurs first (perhaps) in Rob. of Glouc. p. 378, in the phr. sette to ferme = let on lease.   The Anglo-F. ferme occurs in the Stat. of the Realm, i. 140, an. 1300.—F. ferme, a farm, occurring in the 13th cent.; see Littré; cf. F. à ferme, on lease.—Low Lat. firma, a farm; also, a fixed sum paid as rent (Ducange).   Cf. Low Lat. firmitas, a security, surety.—Lat. firma, fem. of firmus, firm, hence secure, fixed.   See Firm.   ¶ Ducange also gives firma, a feast, repast, but only as occurring in E. writers.   This must be the A.S. feorm Latinised; we find the M.E. dat. case ferme in the phr. 'at ferme and at feste;' Reliquiæ Antiquæ, i. 131, l. 33.   Confusion between the two words was easy.   Der. farm-er, M.E. fermour, Chaucer. Leg. of Good Women, prol. 378; 'Fermowre, firmarius;' Prompt. Parv.   The F. suffix -our shews the F. origin of the word.