'cough' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'cohhian,' where 'cohh-' meant 'to cough.'

'cohhian' transformed into the Middle English word 'coughen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'cough.'

Initially, it meant 'to make a noise like a cough,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to expel air from the lungs.'