'awheel' originates from Middle English, specifically from the elements 'a-' and 'wheel', where 'a-' meant 'on, in' and 'wheel' (from Old English 'hwēol') meant 'wheel, rotation'.

'awheel' changed from Middle English forms such as 'a-wheel' or 'awheel', tracing back to Old English components (compare phrases like 'on hwēol') and eventually remained in Modern English as the archaic adverb 'awheel'.

Initially it meant 'on the wheel; in rotation', but over time it broadened to mean 'in motion' and has become archaic in modern usage.