'charwoman' originates from English, specifically from the noun 'char' + 'woman', where 'char' meant 'a task, a turn of work (an odd job)'.

'char' comes from Middle English 'chare' meaning 'turn, task'; the compound formed as 'chare-woman'/'char-woman' and eventually became the modern English 'charwoman' (with the regular plural 'charwomen').

Initially it referred more broadly to a woman who did various odd jobs or tasks; over time it has become used chiefly for a woman employed to do cleaning work.