'bahut' originates from Sanskrit, specifically the word 'bahu', where 'bahu' meant 'much' or 'many'.

'bahut' changed through Prakrit/Apabhraṃśa forms from 'bahu' and eventually became the modern Hindi word 'bahut'.

Initially, it meant 'much' or 'many' in older Indo-Aryan languages; over time it retained that idea and also developed the adverbial sense 'very' in modern usage.