The word "lingerie" is borrowed directly from the French language. The French word "lingerie" comes from "linge", which means "linen" or simply "clothes" in general.

When it entered English usage around 1825-1835, "lingerie" initially referred to undergarments for both men and women, but over time, the meaning of "lingerie" in English narrowed down to specifically refer to women's undergarments, particularly those made from finer materials or designed to be visually appealing.

In essence, "lingerie" started as a broad term for undergarments in any material, but in English, it acquired a more specific and often luxurious connotation.