'counterfeit' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'contrefaire', where 'contre-' meant 'against' and 'faire' meant 'to make'.

'contrefaire' transformed into the Middle English word 'countrefeten', and eventually became the modern English word 'counterfeit'.

Initially, it meant 'to make in opposition', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to forge or fake something'.