Late Middle English; earliest use found in The Wycliffite Bible (early version). From classical Latin paenula sleeveless hooded cloak, often worn in bad weather and on journeys from Hellenistic Greek (Doric) ϕαινόλα cloak, feminine corresponding to the more common (Attic-Ionic) ϕαινόλης from ancient Greek ϕαίνειν to bring to light, make known, reveal + -όλης, suffix forming nouns.