'bane' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'bana', where 'bana' meant 'slayer' or 'murderer'.

'bane' changed from Old English 'bana' into Middle English forms such as 'bane' and eventually became the modern English word 'bane'.

Initially, it meant 'slayer' or 'murderer', but over time it came to mean 'cause of death or destruction' and later broadened to 'cause of great harm, distress, or annoyance' (the current sense).