[1805–15; brook1 + -let]This word is first recorded in the period 1805–15. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: alpaca, one-sided, phase, polarization, soufflé-let is a diminutive suffix attached to nouns (booklet; piglet; ringlet), and, by extraction from bracelet, a suffix denoting a band, piece of jewelry, or article of clothing worn on the partof the body specified by the noun (anklet; wristlet)