'downturn' originates from the combination of 'down' and 'turn', where 'down' meant 'toward a lower position' and 'turn' meant 'change in direction'.

'downturn' evolved from the combination of the words 'down' and 'turn' in English, maintaining its meaning related to a decline or decrease.

Initially, it meant 'a change in direction downward', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a decline in economic or business activity'.