'dragonfly' originates from the combination of 'dragon' and 'fly', where 'dragon' refers to the mythical creature and 'fly' refers to the insect's ability to fly.

'dragonfly' changed from the Old English word 'draca' (dragon) and 'fleoge' (fly) and eventually became the modern English word 'dragonfly'.

Initially, it meant 'a flying creature resembling a dragon', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a type of insect'.