As a noun, merchandise is goods that are bought and sold, especially in stores. As a verb, to merchandise is to promote and sell products, often using advertising or special displays.
From Old French “marchandise” meaning 'goods, wares', from “marchand” 'merchant, trader', from Late Latin “mercatans”, from “mercari” 'to trade'. It is related to “market” and “merchant”, all tied to buying and selling. English kept the spelling close to French.
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