'aunt' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'ante'/'aunte', which in turn comes from Latin 'amita', where 'amita' meant 'father's sister'.

'aunt' changed from Old French 'ante'/'aunte' and Middle English 'aunte' and eventually became the modern English word 'aunt'.

Initially, it meant 'father's sister' (Latin 'amita'), but over time it broadened to mean 'a sister of either parent or the wife of an uncle' in general usage.