'historical' originates from the Greek word 'historikos', where 'historia' meant 'inquiry' or 'knowledge acquired by investigation'.

'historikos' transformed into the Latin word 'historicus', and eventually became the modern English word 'historical' through Old French 'historique'.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to history or inquiry', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to history or past events'.