"metal tag of a lace," meant to make it easier to thread through the eyelet-holes, but later merely ornamental, mid-15c., from Middle French aiguillette, diminutive of aiguille "needle," from Late Latin acucula, an extended form (via diminutive suffix, but not necessarily implying smallness) of Latin acus "needle" (see acuity). Compare Italian agucchia, Portuguese agulha, Spanish aguja "needle."