'barley' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'bærlic', where 'bær' meant 'barley' and '-lic' was a suffix indicating 'pertaining to'.

'bærlic' transformed into the Middle English word 'barly', and eventually became the modern English word 'barley'.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to barley', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the cereal grain'.