'download' originates from English, combining 'down' and 'load', where 'down' implies 'from a higher to a lower place' and 'load' means 'to put a large quantity of something onto a vehicle or container'.

'download' was formed in the late 20th century with the advent of computer technology, combining the words 'down' and 'load'.

Initially, it meant 'to transfer data from a central system to a peripheral system', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.