What was the original meaning of Baccalaureate - given that last root word refers to ancient greek laurel crown honour?

The original meaning of "baccalaureate" relates directly to the laurel crown. It comes from the Medieval Latin *baccalaureatus*, which itself derives from *baccalaureus*. This word referred to a student who had received a bachelor's degree, and the degree itself was so-named because it was a *first* degree, a *beginning*, signifying that the recipient had won their first academic laurels – a symbolic crown of achievement marking the commencement of their scholarly journey. It wasn't a literal laurel crown, but rather a metaphorical one signifying honor and success in their studies.