'barmen' originates from English, specifically the compound 'barman', where 'bar' meant 'a counter for serving drinks' and 'man' meant 'male person'.

'barman' formed by combining 'bar' (from Middle English and Old French roots) and 'man' (Old English 'mann'); the plural followed the Old English strong plural pattern 'man' → 'men', producing 'barmen'.

Initially it referred to 'a man working behind a bar', and over time it has retained that meaning as 'men who serve drinks at a bar'.