'grapevine' originates from Middle English, specifically the words 'grape' and 'vine', where 'grape' referred to the fruit and 'vine' referred to the plant.

'grapevine' changed from the Middle English words 'grape' and 'vine' and eventually became the modern English word 'grapevine'.

Initially, it meant 'a plant that produces grapes', but over time it evolved to also mean 'an informal communication network'.