'arcading' originates from French, specifically the word 'arcade', which in turn traces back to Italian 'arcata' and ultimately Latin 'arcus' where 'arcus' meant 'bow, arch'.

'arcading' developed from the noun 'arcade' (French 'arcade', Italian 'arcata'), itself from Latin 'arcus' meaning 'bow/arch'; Middle English adopted forms referring to arches and covered passages and later allowed verbal use ('to arcade') and its participle 'arcading'.

Initially related to the curved form 'bow' or 'arch' (Latin 'arcus'); over time it came to denote a constructed series of arches or a covered passage (an arcade) and later the verbal sense 'to provide with arches'.