Etymology

Origin uncertain. Compare Middle French bagarot ‎(“noise, tumult, contention, strife”). Perhaps from or related to Old High German bāgari ‎(“arguer, fighter”), from bāgan, bāgēn ‎(“to quarrel, dispute”), from Proto-Germanic *bēganą, *bēgijaną ‎(“to fight, contend”), from Proto-Indo-European *bhēǵh-, *bhēgh- ‎(“to press, compel”). If so, then cognate with German bägern ‎(“to vex, torment”), Old Norse bágr ‎(“resistance, struggle, fight”).

Alternate etymology cites derivation from Provençal bagarro, possibly from the same origin as above, or from Basque batzarre.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /baɡaʁ/, /baɡɑʁ/