'estimability' originates from Modern English formation, specifically from the adjective 'estimable' plus the nominalizing suffix '-ity', ultimately tracing back to Latin 'aestimare', where 'aes/æst-' related to 'value' and 'aestimare' meant 'to value' or 'to assess'.

'aestimare' (Latin) gave rise to Old French 'estimer', which entered Middle English as 'estimaten'/'esteem' and later produced English verbs 'estimate' and adjective 'estimable'; the noun 'estimability' developed in Modern English by adding '-ity' to 'estimable'.

Initially connected with the action 'to value or assess' (from Latin), over time the derivative nouns came to denote the property of being able to be estimated and, by extension, the property of being worthy of esteem; both senses persist in modern usage.