'airwaybill' originates from the combination of 'airway' and 'bill', where 'airway' refers to the route or path taken by aircraft and 'bill' refers to a written statement of charges.

'airwaybill' was formed by combining the words 'airway' and 'bill' to create a term specific to air cargo documentation.

Initially, it meant a document for air cargo, and this meaning has remained consistent.