A musical term for a drone or continuous low note that accompanies a melody; also historically a staff or pilgrim's walking stick.
From Old French 'bourdon' meaning drone or buzzing sound, possibly imitative in origin. It can also refer to a staff used by pilgrims, combining the sense of a continuous support.
The same word meant both a musical drone AND a pilgrim's staff because they both provided continuous support or foundation—that's beautiful linguistic logic where one word captures two related ideas!
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