'brig' originates from the Italian word 'brigantino', where 'brigare' meant 'to fight or brawl'.

'brigantino' transformed into the French word 'brigantine', and eventually became the modern English word 'brig' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a small fighting ship', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'a type of sailing ship' and 'a prison on a ship'.