To soak food, especially meat, in a seasoned liquid to add flavor and tenderize it before cooking.
From French 'mariner,' meaning 'to pickle in sea brine,' which came from Latin 'marinus' (of the sea). Originally, this was specifically about preserving food in saltwater like sailors did on long ocean voyages — 'marine' preservation. The technique of soaking meat in seasoned liquids evolved from these maritime food preservation methods. The connection to the sea is still visible in 'marinade' and 'marine' sharing the same root.
Your backyard barbecue technique comes straight from ancient sailors! 'Marinate' originally meant preserving food in seawater brine for long ocean voyages — it was maritime survival technology. Sailors discovered that soaking meat in seasoned saltwater not only preserved it but made it more tender and flavorful. So when you marinate chicken for dinner, you're using a cooking method perfected by seafaring adventurers.
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