late Middle English (originally denoting a short written document): from Anglo-Norman French billette, diminutive of bille (see bill)The verb is recorded in the late 16th cent., and the noun sense'a written order requiring a householder to lodge the bearer, usually a soldier', from the mid 17th cent.; hence the current meaninglate Middle English : from Old French billette and billot, diminutives of bille 'tree trunk', from medieval Latin billa, billus 'branch, trunk', probably of Celtic origin
