- seal (n.1)
- "design stamped on wax," early 13c., from Old French seel (Modern French sceau), from Vulgar Latin *sigellum (source of Italian suggello, Spanish sello; also Old Frisian and Middle High German sigel, German Siegel), from Latin sigillum "small picture, engraved figure, seal," diminutive of signum "mark, token" (see sign). An earlier borrowing directly from Latin is represented by Old English insigel.
- seal (n.2)
- mammal with flippers, Old English seolh "seal," from Proto-Germanic *selkhaz (cf. Old Norse selr, Swedish sjöl, Middle Low German sel, Middle Dutch seel, Old High German selah), of unknown origin, perhaps a borrowing from Finnic. Seal point "dark brown marking on a Siamese cat" is recorded from 1934, from the dark brown color of seal fur; cf. seal brown "rich, dark brown color," by 1875.
- seal (v.)
- "to fasten with (or as with) a seal," early 13c., from seal (n.1). Meaning "to place a seal on (a document)" is recorded from mid-14c.; sense of "to close up with wax, lead, cement, etc." is attested from 1660s, from the notion of wax seals on envelopes. Related: Sealed; sealing. Sealing-wax is attested from c.1300. To seal one's fate (1810) probably reflects the notion of a seal on an execution warrant.