Late 16th century; earliest use found in Richard Hakluyt (?1552–1616), geographer. From Middle French perdrigon, perdigoine, alteration, after perdrix partridge, of Old Occitan perdigo, perdigon young partridge; compare Occitan perdigona, perdigon perdrigon plum, piece of lead shot; the reason for the transferred use of the bird name is uncertain (it may arise from similarity of colour).