'deforestation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'deforestare,' where 'de-' meant 'removal' and 'forestare' meant 'to cover with trees.'

'deforestare' transformed into the French word 'déforestation,' and eventually became the modern English word 'deforestation' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to remove trees from an area,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.