GOURMET

gourmet, a french term for one who takes a refined and critical, or even merely theoretical pleasure in good cooking and the delights of the table. the word has not the disparaging sense attached to the fr. _gourmand_, to whom the practical pleasure of good eating is the chief end. the o. fr. _groumet_ or _gromet_ meant a servant, or shop-boy, especially one employed in a wine-seller's shop, hence an expert taster of wines, from which the modern usage has developed. the etymology of gourmet is obscure; it may be ultimately connected with the english "groom" (q.v.). the origin of _gourmand_ is unknown. in english, in the form "grummet," the word was early applied to a cabin or ship's boy. ships of the cinque ports were obliged to carry one "grummet"; thus in a charter of 1229 (quoted in the _new english dictionary_) it is laid down _servitia inde debita domino regi, xxi. naves, et in qualibet nave xxi. homines, cum uno gartione qui dicitur gromet_.