'amuse-bouche' originates from French, specifically the words 'amuser' and 'bouche', where 'amuser' meant 'to amuse/entertain' and 'bouche' meant 'mouth'.

'amuse-bouche' developed in French culinary usage as a refined alternative to the older term 'amuse-gueule' ('gueule' being a more vulgar word for 'mouth'); the phrase was then adopted into English culinary vocabulary in the 20th century with the same form.

Initially it literally meant 'to amuse the mouth' (a morsel to entertain the palate); over time it kept that core sense and came to specifically denote a small complimentary pre-meal bite in fine dining.