'verger' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'verger', where the element 'verge' (from Latin 'virga') meant 'rod' or 'staff'.

'verger' developed from Old French 'verger' (originally related to 'verge'/'virga' meaning a rod or staff) and was adopted into Middle English with the sense of an officer who carried a rod and kept order in church; over time the term became fixed as the title for that church official.

Initially it was connected with 'rod' or 'staff' (and in French 'verger' also means 'orchard'); in English it evolved to mean specifically the church official who carried a staff and performed attendant duties, and now denotes that role.