'distress' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'destresse', where 'destresse' meant 'narrowness, hardship'. The agentive suffix '-er' was later added in English to form 'distresser' (one who causes distress).

'distress' changed from Old French 'destresse' into Middle English 'distresse' and eventually became the modern English word 'distress'; the modern noun 'distresser' arose by adding the English agentive suffix '-er' to denote an agent (one who does).

Initially, it meant 'narrowness or affliction', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'severe anxiety or suffering' and, by extension, 'one who causes such suffering' (and in material work, 'a tool that produces an aged effect').