'bow-tie' originates from English as a compound of the words 'bow' and 'tie', where 'bow' meant a curved or looped shape and 'tie' meant to fasten or bind.

'bow' comes from Old English 'boga' (meaning a curve, arch or something bent), which passed into Middle English as 'bow(e)'; 'tie' comes from Old English 'tīegan'/'tīgan' (to fasten) and Middle English 'tien'/'tie', and together they formed the compound 'bow-tie' in modern English to name the neckwear.

Initially a literal combination referring to a 'bow' that is 'tied'; over time it became the specific term for the formal neck accessory now called 'bow-tie'.