'barbet' originates from French, specifically the word 'barbet', formed from 'barbe' with the diminutive suffix '-et', where 'barbe' (from Latin 'barba') meant 'beard' and the suffix '-et' meant 'little'.

'barbet' changed from Old French/French elements 'barbe' + '-et' (meaning 'little beard') and was borrowed into English to name animals (first the dog breed and then applied to birds with beard-like bristles), eventually becoming the modern English word 'barbet'.

Initially it meant 'little beard' (a descriptive term referring to a beard or tuft), but over time it came to name specific animals (a French water dog and certain birds) characterized by beard-like tufts or bristles.