'hireling' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hȳrling,' where 'hȳr' meant 'hire' and '-ling' was a diminutive suffix.

'hȳrling' transformed into the Middle English word 'hȳrling,' and eventually became the modern English word 'hireling'.

Initially, it meant 'a person who is hired,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person who works purely for material reward.'