'discovery' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'descovrir,' where 'des-' meant 'un-' and 'covrir' meant 'to cover.'

'descovrir' transformed into the Middle English word 'discoveren,' and eventually became the modern English word 'discovery'.

Initially, it meant 'to uncover or reveal something hidden,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'finding something new or unknown'.