'food' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'fōda', where it meant 'nourishment' or 'sustenance'.

'food' changed from Old English 'fōda' (from Proto-Germanic '*fōdō') and eventually became the modern English word 'food'.

Initially, it meant 'nourishment' or 'that which sustains life', and over time it has retained this core meaning while also extending to categories and types of edible items.