'artery' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'artēria', where 'artēria' meant 'windpipe or artery'.

'artēria' transformed into the Latin word 'arteria', and eventually became the modern English word 'artery' through Old French.

Initially, it meant 'windpipe', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart'.