'bassinet' originates from French, specifically the word 'bassinet', a diminutive of 'bassin' (meaning 'basin').

'bassinet' entered English from French (borrowed in the 17th century); the French 'bassin' (from Old French 'bacin') gave rise to the diminutive 'bassinet', which became the English word.

Initially it meant 'little basin' (a small basin-like container), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a small bed for infants'.