Early 16th century; earliest use found in Will of Alice Love formerly Oxenbridge. From Middle French paraphernel, parapharnel, paraphernal (French paraphernal), adjective (15th cent. in biens parapharnelz paraphernal goods, married woman's paraphernalia; compare Old Occitan (Gascon) bes parafernals, Catalan béns parafernals) from post-classical Latin paraphernalis. In later use perhaps independently from paraphernal<br>late 18th century; earliest use found in John Erskine (1695–1768), advocate and jurist. From post-classical Latin paraphernalis from classical Latin paraferna + -ālis.