The name leprechaun is derived from the Irish word leipreachán, defined by Patrick Dinneen as "a pigmy, a sprite, or leprechaun". It is thought to be a corruption of Middle Irish luchrupán, from the Old Irish luchorpán. The earliest known reference of the Leprechaun is in the medieval tale Echtra Fergus mac Leti in English it is known as Adventure of Fergus son of Leti. It contains a scene where the King of Ulster falls asleep on the beach and wakes up to find himself being drug into the ocean by three leprechauns. He captures them, who grant him three wishes in exchange for release.