'beset' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'besettan,' where 'be-' meant 'around' and 'settan' meant 'to place.'

'besettan' transformed into the Middle English word 'besetten,' and eventually became the modern English word 'beset'.

Initially, it meant 'to place around,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to trouble or threaten persistently.'