'bereavement' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'bereafian,' where 'be-' meant 'thoroughly' and 'reafian' meant 'to rob or deprive.'

'bereafian' transformed into the Middle English word 'bereven,' and eventually became the modern English word 'bereave' and its noun form 'bereavement.'

Initially, it meant 'to deprive or rob,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the state of loss due to death.'