語源は不明。おそらく語源はvor(貪る)で、語源的にはvoracity(貪欲)、gorge(峡谷)と同じ。
The gourmand is one whose chief pleasure is eating; but a gourmet is a connoisseur of food and wines. In England the difference is this: a gourmand regards quantity more than quality, a gourmet quality more than quantity. [Brewer, "Dictionary of Phrase and Fable," Philadelphia, 1898]