'cipher' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'ṣifr', where 'ṣifr' meant 'zero' or 'empty'.

'ṣifr' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'cifra', and eventually became the modern English word 'cipher' through Old French 'cifre'.

Initially, it meant 'zero', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a secret or disguised way of writing'.