Late 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas D'Urfey (?1653–1723), playwright and writer. From French paroli from Italian paroli, plural of parolo, probably from paro ‘I prepare’, 1st person singular of parare + lo it. Compare Italian paroli ‘a grand part, set, or cast, at dice’ (Florio 1611), parolare ‘to set or play at a grand part at dice’ (Florio 1611), Italian regional (Naples) parulo the doubling of a previous stake.