from the French damoisel or damoisette, an appellation anciently given to all young people of either sex, that were of noble or gentle extraction, as the sons and daughters of princes, knights, and barons; thus we read of Damsel Pepin, Damsel Louis le Gros, Damsel Richard Prince of Wales.

From the sons of kings this appellation first passed to those of great lords and barons, and at length to those of gentlemen who were not yet knights.

At present damsel is applied to all maids or girls not married, provided they be not of the vulgar.