'chervil' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'chervil', ultimately from Late Latin 'chaerephyllum' and Greek 'khairephyllon', where the compound name referred to this aromatic herb.

'chervil' changed from Late Latin 'chaerephyllum' and Old French 'chervil' and entered Middle English, eventually becoming the modern English word 'chervil'.

Initially it referred to the same plant (the herb); over time the word has retained that botanical and culinary meaning into modern English.