c. 1600, from Medieval Latin quadragesima (dies) "the fortieth (day)," altered diminutive of Latin quadrigesimus "fortieth," from quadriginta "forty," related to quattuor "four" (from PIE root *kwetwer- "four"). Related: Quadragesimal.
quack
quacker
quackery
quacksalver
quad
Quadragesima
quadrangle
quadrangular
quadrant
quadraphonic
quadrat