'await' originates from Old French (Old North French), specifically the word 'awaiter' (a- + 'waiter'), where 'a-' meant 'to, at' and 'wait' (from Frankish *wahtōn / Proto-Germanic *waht-) meant 'to watch'.

'await' changed from Middle English 'awaiten' (borrowed from Old North French 'awaiter' and ultimately from Frankish/Germanic roots) and eventually became the modern English word 'await'.

Initially, it meant 'to watch or be watchful for', but over time it evolved into current senses: 'to wait for (someone/something)' and 'to be in store for (someone)'.