'poniard' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'poignard', where 'poigne' meant 'fist'.

'poniard' changed from Old French 'poignard' into Middle English forms (e.g. 'poniard') and eventually became the modern English word 'poniard'.

Initially it referred to a weapon associated with the fist or hand (a small dagger); over time it retained the meaning of a small stabbing dagger and also developed a verbal sense 'to stab with a poniard' in English.