Espagnole

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A traditional French sauce made from tomatoes, onions, and peppers, often used as a base for numerous other sauces
2. A sauce characterized by a blend of vegetables and spices, reflecting influences from Spanish cuisine
3. A culinary preparation that incorporates a variety of ingredients, celebrated for its rich flavor and versatility in dishes

Etymology: The name is plain French for "Spanish sauce." The sauce itself takes its title from the adjective "Spanish," and the noun it modifies, "sauce," has dropped out of common use, leaving only the adjective to name the dish. English has a close relative of the word. "Española" reached English directly from Spanish, while "espagnole" came through French, so the two are doublets: different routes from the same root, producing two forms that look and sound related but entered the language separately.

Synonyms: brown sauce, Spanish sauce