'ashless' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'ash' and the suffix '-less', where 'ash' meant 'residue left after burning' and '-less' meant 'without'.

'ashless' changed from Middle English forms combining 'ash' (from Old English 'æsc') and '-less' (from Old English 'lēas'), and eventually became the modern English word 'ashless'.

Initially, it meant 'without ash', and over time it has largely retained its original meaning of 'free from ash'.