'auberge' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'alberge' (later 'auberge'), where Frankish '*heriberga' meant 'lodging' or 'shelter'.

'auberge' changed from Old French 'alberge' (from Frankish/Germanic elements such as '*heriberga') and was borrowed into English from French as 'auberge', keeping the sense of a lodging or inn.

Initially, it meant 'lodging' or 'shelter' in the sense of a place to stay; over time it evolved into its current meaning of a small inn or hotel (often with a rustic or intimate character).