'anguishing' originates from Latin, specifically the words 'anguere' and 'angustiae,' where the root 'ang-' meant 'tight; to press/choke,' giving the sense of 'distress' and 'narrowness.'

'anguishing' changed through Old French 'angoisse' (also 'anguisse') into Middle English 'anguisshe/anguysse,' which became the modern English noun and verb 'anguish,' from which the participial form 'anguishing' is derived.

Initially, it referred to 'narrowness, choking, physical distress,' but over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'severe mental suffering' and, as an adjective/participle, 'extremely distressing.'