'stencil' originates from Middle English, likely from Old French 'estencile' (or similar forms), where the form referred to a pattern or template used for marking.

'stencil' appeared in Middle English as 'stencel' or 'stencil' (borrowed from Old French 'estencile') and eventually became the modern English word 'stencil' with related verb forms such as 'stenciled'.

Initially, the term referred to a pattern or template used for making marks; over time it came to denote both the template itself and the action of applying designs with that template (to 'stencil').