Etymology Dictionary

GARGOYLE,  in architecture, a projecting spout.  (F.,—L.)   M.E. gargoyle, also spelt gargyll.   The spelling gargoyle is in Lidgate's Troybook (R.); we read of 'gargylles of golde fiersly faced with spoutes running' in Hall's Chron. Henry VIII, an. 19.—O.F. gargouille, 'the weesle or weason [weasand] of the throat; also, the mouth of a spout, a gutter;' Cot.   Cf. Span. gargola, a gargoyle.   β. We find, in Ital., not only gargatta, gargozza, the throat, windpipe, but also gorgozza, the throat, gullet, dimin. of gorga, the throat.   Thus gargoyle is merely the dimin. of F. gorge, the throat; see Gorge.   γ. The change of vowel was due to confusion with Lat. gargarizare; just as gargle (q.v.) was confused with M.E. gargarise (explained under Gargle).