'downpour' originates from the combination of 'down' and 'pour', where 'down' implies 'toward a lower place' and 'pour' means 'to flow or cause to flow in a steady stream'.

'downpour' evolved from the Middle English word 'pouren', which meant 'to pour'.

Initially, it meant 'to pour down', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a heavy and sudden rainfall'.