Old English; earliest use found in Regularis Concordia. From post-classical Latin parasceue, parasceve day of preparation, day before the Sabbath, especially with reference to the original Good Friday (Vetus Latina, Vulgate, e.g. Mark 15:42), Good Friday in the liturgical calendar, preparation from ancient Greek παρασκευή preparation, in Hellenistic Greek the ‘day of preparation’ (Septuagint) from παρα- + σκευή equipment, outfit, attire from σκεῦος vessel, implement. Compare Gothic paraskaiwe, a direct borrowing from Greek.