'attainment' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'atteindre,' where 'at-' meant 'to' and 'teindre' meant 'to touch or reach.'

'atteindre' transformed into the Middle English word 'attainen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'attain' and its noun form 'attainment.'

Initially, it meant 'to reach or touch something,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'achieving or accomplishing something.'