'drake' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'draca' (from Latin 'draco'), where 'draca'/'draco' meant 'dragon'.

'drake' changed from Old English word 'draca' (from Latin 'draco') into Middle English 'drake' and eventually became the modern English word 'drake'.

Initially, it meant 'dragon' (from Latin 'draco'), but over time it also came to be used for the male of the duck species; the 'dragon' sense survives mainly in literary or fantasy contexts.