OED has soffit, which it says is from the Italian soffitta, and defines it as the under horizontal face of an architrave or overhanging cornice; the under surface of a lintel, vault, or arch; a ceiling. It also mentions French soffite as a possible source.

Edit: Pipped by Nuncle Z.

Last edited by Faldage; 04/08/2007 9:48 PM.