- ravine (n.)
- 1760, "deep gorge," from French ravin "a gully" (1680s, from Old French raviner "to hollow out"), and from French ravine "violent rush of water, gully," from Old French ravine "violent rush, robbery, rapine," both ultimately from Latin rapina (see rapine); sense influenced by Latin rapidus "rapid." Middle English ravine meant "booty, plunder, robbery" from c.1350-1500. Cf. ravening.