'enjoy' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'enjoir' (or 'enjoier'), where the element 'en-' is a prefix and 'joir' ultimately comes from Latin 'gaudēre' meaning 'to rejoice'.

'enjoy' changed from Middle English 'enjoyen' (influenced by Old French 'enjoir') and eventually became the modern English word 'enjoy'.

Initially it meant 'to give joy to' or 'to cause to rejoice,' but over time it evolved into its current primary meaning of 'to take pleasure in' and also 'to have or receive (a benefit or state)'.