Frog

1. a tailless amphibian with a short squat body, moist smooth skin, and very long hind legs for leaping.
2. a French person.

Old English frogga, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vors and German Frosch . Used as a general term of abuse in Middle English, the term was applied specifically to the Dutch in the 17th century; its application to the French (late 18th century) is partly alliterative, partly from the reputation of the French for eating frogs' legs.

1. an ornamental coat fastener or braid consisting of a spindle-shaped button and a loop through which it passes.
2. a perforated or spiked device for holding the stems of flowers in an arrangement.
3. the piece into which the hair is fitted at the lower end of the bow of a stringed instrument.
4. a grooved metal plate for guiding the wheels of a railway vehicle at an intersection.

early 18th century: perhaps a use of frog¹, influenced by synonymous Italian forchetta or French fourchette ‘small fork’, because of the shape.

noun

an elastic horny pad growing in the sole of a horse's hoof, helping to absorb the shock when the hoof hits the ground.

early 17th century: perhaps from frog¹; perhaps also influenced by Italian forchetta or French fourchette (see frog²).