"mattress," late 14c., from Anglo-Fr. paillete "straw, bundle of straw," from O.Fr. paillete "chaff," from paille "straw," from L. palea "chaff," cognate with Skt. palavah, O.C.S. pleva, Rus. peleva, Lith. pelus.
"flat wooden blade" used as a tool by potters, etc., 1558, from M.Fr. palette, dim. of pale "spade, shovel" (see palette). Meaning "large portable tray" used with forklift for moving loads is from 1921.