'hazard' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'hasard', which referred to a game of chance (a dice game).

'hazard' entered Middle English from Old French 'hasard' (or Medieval Latin 'azalarium' via Old Spanish), which itself likely came from Arabic 'az-zahr' meaning 'the die'. Over time it became the English word 'hazard'.

Initially, it meant 'a game of chance' or 'chance', but over time it evolved into the current primary meaning of 'risk' or 'danger'.