'baseline' originates from English, specifically the words 'base' and 'line', where 'base' meant 'foundation' and 'line' meant 'a long narrow mark or band'.

'base' and 'line' combined in English to form the modern word 'baseline'.

Initially, it meant 'a line serving as a base', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a starting point for comparisons'.