'rascal' originates from Old French 'rascaille', meaning 'rabble' or 'riffraff'.

'rascaille' passed into Middle English as 'rascalle'/'rascal' and eventually became the modern English 'rascal', shifting from a collective sense to an individual noun.

Initially it referred to the 'rabble' or low people; over time it narrowed to mean an individual who is mischievous or dishonest, often used playfully.