'argosy' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'ragusea', where 'Ragusa' referred to the city of Ragusa (now Dubrovnik) and 'ragusea' meant 'of Ragusa' (a Ragusan ship).

'argosy' changed from the Italian word 'ragusea' (meaning 'Ragusan ship') into Middle English through rebracketing (English speakers heard 'a ragusea' as 'an argosy'), eventually becoming the modern English 'argosy'.

Initially, it meant 'a Ragusan ship' (a ship from Ragusa), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a large merchant ship or fleet, especially richly laden', and figuratively 'a large supply'.