'beechnut' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'bēce' (beech) and 'hnutu' (nut), where 'bēce' meant 'beech tree' and 'hnutu' meant 'nut'.

'beechnut' changed from Old English phrase 'bēce hnutu' and Middle English 'bechenut' and eventually became the modern English word 'beechnut'.

Initially, it meant 'nut of the beech tree', and over time it has retained that basic meaning into modern usage.