'disastrous' originates from the Italian word 'disastro,' where 'dis-' meant 'bad' and 'astro' meant 'star.'

'disastro' transformed into the French word 'désastreux,' and eventually became the modern English word 'disastrous' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'ill-starred' or 'unlucky,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'causing great damage or distress.'