gâteau

[ ga-toh, gah-; French gah-toh ]

noun

, French Cooking.

, plural gâ·teaux [ga-, toh, -, tohz, gah-, gah-, toh].

1. a cake, especially a very light sponge cake with a rich icing or filling.

gateau

/ ˈɡætəʊ /

noun

1. any of various elaborate cakes, usually layered with cream and richly decorated

Word History and Origins

Origin of gâteau¹

1835–45; < French; Old French gastel (compare Middle English wastel < Old North French ) < Frankish *wastil, perhaps akin to Old English, Old Saxon wist food, nourishment

Word History and Origins

Origin of gâteau¹

French: cake