'autumn' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'autumnus', where the root referred to the harvest/season.

'autumn' entered English via Old French 'autompne' (later 'autompne'/'automne') and Middle English; it also replaced the Old English word 'hærfest' (related to 'harvest').

Initially associated closely with the harvest period, it has remained largely the same in meaning as the season between summer and winter, though older English often used 'harvest' for the same season.