'barkentine' originates from French, specifically the word 'barque', where 'barque' meant 'small boat'. The English nautical term developed via the form 'barquentine' (barque + suffix).

'barkentine' changed from the French word 'barque' with an added suffix into the nautical English term 'barquentine'; an alternative English spelling 'barkentine' later appeared and the plural became 'barkentines'.

Initially it was related to the idea of a 'small boat' from 'barque', but over time it evolved into the specific meaning 'a type of multi‑masted sailing ship with a square‑rigged foremast'.