The story
From Middle Dutch, composed of water (“water”) + loo (“sacred wood, forest”). More at water, lea. cf. German Loh. Most places in English-speaking countries are named for the battle.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Waterloo
Wa·ter·looToday it means: Often in the term meet one's Waterloo: a notable and decisive defeat following an encounter with a powerful opponent or a problem that is too difficult. Full definition →