'cultivation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'cultivare,' where 'cult-' meant 'to till' and '-ivare' meant 'to make.'

'cultivare' transformed into the French word 'cultiver,' and eventually became the modern English word 'cultivation' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to till or prepare land for crops,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the act of cultivating land or crops.'