'peruke' originates from French, specifically the word 'perruque', where 'perruque' meant 'a wig'.

'peruke' changed from Middle French 'peruque' (or Old French 'perruque') and from Late Latin 'perruca', and eventually became the English form 'peruke' in Early Modern English.

Initially, it meant 'a wig' (the same basic idea), but over time it became archaic in English while related forms (e.g. 'periwig') remained in use.