'distress' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'destresse', where 'des-' meant 'apart' and 'streindre' meant 'to draw tight'.

'destresse' transformed into the Middle English word 'distresse', and eventually became the modern English word 'distress'.

Initially, it meant 'to draw tight or bind', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'suffering or pain'.