'basin' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'bacin' (later 'bassin'), which referred to a bowl or vessel; it ultimately comes from Late Latin 'baccinum' meaning 'little bowl'.

'basin' changed from Old French 'bacin' (and Middle English forms such as 'basyne') and eventually became the modern English word 'basin'.

Initially, it meant 'a bowl or vessel'; over time the sense broadened to include 'a bowl-shaped depression' and 'an area drained by a river' (drainage basin).