'badinage' originates from French, specifically the word 'badinage', where 'badiner' meant 'to jest' (to joke) and 'badin' referred to a 'joker' or 'trifle'.

'badinage' was borrowed into English from French (via Middle French) in the 18th century as 'badinage' and retained its form and sense when it entered modern English.

Initially it meant 'light jesting or playful joking', and over time it has retained that core sense of 'playful or witty banter'.