'accoutre' originates from Middle French, specifically the word 'accoutrer', where 'a-' meant 'to' and 'couter' meant 'sew'.

'accoutrer' transformed into the English word 'accoutre', and eventually became the modern English word 'accoutring' through the addition of the present participle suffix '-ing'.

Initially, it meant 'to sew or equip', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to outfit or equip'.