'aweather' originates from Old English elements: the prefix 'a-' (from Old English 'on'/'in') combined with 'weather' (Old English 'weder'), where 'a-' meant 'on, in' and 'weder' meant 'weather, storm'.

'aweather' changed from Middle English forms such as 'awether' or 'a-weder' and eventually became the modern English word 'aweather', used chiefly in nautical contexts.

Initially it meant 'on the weather side; toward the wind', and this core meaning has largely remained, though the term is now chiefly nautical and somewhat archaic.