'fourfold' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'feowerfeald', where 'feower' meant 'four' and 'feald' meant 'fold'.

'feowerfeald' changed from Old English word 'feowerfeald' and eventually became the modern English word 'fourfold'.

Initially, it meant 'four times as much', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.