'drown' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'druncnian,' where 'drunc-' meant 'to drink or be submerged.'

'druncnian' transformed into the Middle English word 'drounen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'drown.'

Initially, it meant 'to be submerged in water,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to die by submersion in water.'