'debt-collecting' originates from the combination of 'debt' and 'collect,' where 'debt' comes from Latin 'debitum,' meaning 'something owed,' and 'collect' from Latin 'colligere,' meaning 'to gather together.'

'debitum' transformed into the Old French word 'dette,' and eventually became the modern English word 'debt.' 'Colligere' transformed into the Old French 'collecter,' and eventually became the modern English word 'collect.'

Initially, 'debt' meant 'something owed,' and 'collect' meant 'to gather together.' Over time, 'debt-collecting' evolved to mean the process of pursuing payments.