'friendliness' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'freondlicnes,' where 'freond' meant 'friend' and '-licnes' was a suffix denoting quality or state.

'freondlicnes' transformed into the Middle English word 'frendlynesse,' and eventually became the modern English word 'friendliness'.

Initially, it meant 'the state of being a friend,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'affability and warmth in social interactions'.