'estrange' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'estranger', where 'estrange' meant 'to treat as a stranger'.

'estranger' transformed into the Middle English word 'estrangen', and eventually became the modern English word 'estrange'.

Initially, it meant 'to treat as a stranger', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to alienate or make unfriendly'.