Fess

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late 15th century: from Old French fesse, alteration of faisse, from Latin fascia ‘band’. Compare with fascia.

wiktionary

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From confess, by shortening.

From Old French fesse, an alteration of faisse, from Latin fascia. Doublet of fajita, fascia, and fascism.

fess

etymonline

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fess (v.)

shortened form of confess, attested by 1840, American English. With up (adv.) from 1930. Related: Fessed; fesses; fessing.

fess (n.)

wide horizontal band across an escutcheon, late 15c., from Old French faisce, from Latin fascia "a band" (see fasces).