From French 'basson,' augmentative of 'bas' (low) — literally 'the big low one,' named for its deep register.
A large double-reed woodwind instrument with a doubled-back conical bore, producing a deep, rich tone and serving as the bass voice of the orchestral woodwind section.
From French 'basson,' augmentative of 'bas' (low, bass), from Late Latin 'bassus' (short, low, thick), of uncertain ultimate origin — possibly from a pre-Latin Oscan or Italic substrate language. The augmentative suffix '-on' emphasizes size or intensity, so 'basson' literally means 'the big low one.' The earlier English term 'fagot' or 'fagotto' (from Italian 'fagotto,' a bundle — referring to the instrument's bundle of tubes) was
German and Italian call the bassoon 'Fagott' and 'fagotto,' meaning 'bundle' — because the instrument's long tube is folded back on itself, making it look like a bundle of sticks tied together. The French name 'basson' won out in English, focusing on the instrument's low pitch rather than its appearance.