Middle English, borrowed from Old Norse karl "man, commoner" — more at churl
Note: Old Norse karl is already reflected in the late Old English compounds hūscarl "member of a king's bodyguard" (Old Norse húskarl), carlmann "male, man" (Old Norse karlmaðr).
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of carl was before the 12th century