'afterings' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'æfterung,' where 'æfter' meant 'after' and '-ung' was a suffix used to form nouns.

'æfterung' transformed into the Middle English word 'afteringe,' and eventually became the modern English word 'afterings'.

Initially, it meant 'things left behind,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'remnants or leftovers, especially after a meal'.