- range (v.)
- c.1200, rengen, "move over a large area, roam with the purpose of searching or hunting," from Old French rengier (see range (n.)). Sense of "to arrange in rows" is recorded from c.1300. Related: Ranged; ranging.
- range (n.)
- c.1200, "row or line of persons" (especially hunters or soldiers), from Old French range "range, rank," from rangier "to place in a row, arrange," from reng "row, line" (see rank (n.)). Meaning "row of mountains" is from 1705. Meaning "scope, extent" first recorded 1660s; that of "area over which animals seek food" is from 1620s, from the verb. Specific U.S. sense of "series of townships six miles in width" is from 1785. Sense of "distance a gun can send a bullet" is recorded from 1590s; meaning "place used for shooting practice" is from 1862. The cooking appliance so called since mid-15c., for unknown reasons.