is from the Low Latin carpentarius, a maker of
carpenta (two-wheeled carts and carriages). The carpentum
was used for ladies; the carpentum funebre or carpentum
pompaticum was a hearse. There was also a carpentum (cart)
for agricultural purposes. There is no Latin word for our “carpenter”;
the phrase faber lignarius is used by Cicero. Our forefathers
called a carpenter a “smith” or a “wood-smith.” (French,
charpentér.)
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
