An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A graph or drawing that shows the variation of one property (such as intensity),
usually as ordinate, with respect to another property (such as wavelength).
→ line profile.

Etymology (EN): From It. profilo “a drawing in outline,” from profilare “to draw in outline,” from → pro- “forth” + filare “draw out, spin,” from L.L. filare “to spin, draw out a line,” from filum “thread,” cognate with Pers. zeh “cord, string,” → filament.

Etymology (PE): Farâpâl, from farâ-, → pro-, + pâl “thread, string,” probably cognate with L. filum, as above.