'coastwise' originates from the English word 'coast' combined with the suffix '-wise', where 'coast' meant 'the land near the sea' and '-wise' meant 'in the direction of'.

'coast' combined with '-wise' in Middle English to form 'coastwise', eventually becoming the modern English word 'coastwise'.

Initially, it meant 'in the direction of the coast', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.