'afforest' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'afforester,' where 'a-' meant 'to' and 'forest' meant 'forest.'

'afforester' transformed into the English word 'afforest,' and eventually became the modern English word 'afforesting' through the addition of the present participle suffix '-ing'.

Initially, it meant 'to turn land into forest,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.