Pesto Roots

I'm making OG pesto tonight! Ingredients for OG pesto:

(a) pistillum (Latin)=>pestel (Old French)=>pestle (English).
(b) pistillum (Latin)=>pestare(Italian)=>pesto (Italian/English).
(c) Originally, a mortar and pestle was used to make pesto.

Note: The word pestle came before pesto since the former had to exist to make the latter. But they originate from the same Latin root.

Update from the kitchen:

The smell wafting out of the mortar is divinely basil-ic. The smashed basil swimming in its own juices looks like a home-made facial. I would like to slather it all over my face, but I shall resist.