[1585–95; ‹ It donzello ‹ OPr donzel ‹ VL *dom(i)nicellus, equiv. to L domin(us) lord + -cellus dim. suffix; cf. damsel]This word is first recorded in the period 1585–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: aberration, competence, corridor, scuff, switch