'hanker' originates from Middle Dutch, specifically the word 'hankeren', where the root 'hank-' conveyed a sense of yearning or striving.

'hanker' changed from the Middle Dutch word 'hankeren' and entered Early Modern English as 'hanker'; the noun form 'hankering' developed by adding the English suffix '-ing'.

Initially, it meant 'to yearn or long for', and over time it has kept that basic sense, now commonly used as 'a strong desire or craving'.