'amaze' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'amasen', where 'a-' meant 'intensive' and 'masen' meant 'to confuse'.

'amasen' transformed into the modern English word 'amaze', and 'amazing' is derived from 'amaze'.

Initially, it meant 'to confuse or perplex', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to astonish or surprise greatly'.