Early 18th century; earliest use found in Eustace Budgell (1686–1737), writer. Apparently from French petite pièce from petite, feminine of petit + pièce.
Definition of petite pièce in US English:
petite pièce
nounpəˌtiːt piːˈɛs
A minor dramatic performance.
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in Eustace Budgell (1686–1737), writer. Apparently from French petite pièce from petite, feminine of petit + pièce.