middleware

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English middle Proto-West Germanic *samft(ī) Old English sōfte Middle English softe English soft Proto-Germanic *warō Proto-West Germanic *waru Old English waru Middle English ware English -ware English softwarebf. English -ware English middleware From middle + -ware.

1. Software that functions at an intermediate layer between applications and operating system or database management system, or between client and server.
2. Networking software or hardware that is deployed in the middle of, as opposed to serviced by, a packet network to enhance or provide some network function, such as caching, filtering, or firewall functionality.