'housekeeper' originates from Middle English, specifically the words 'hous' meaning 'dwelling' and 'kepen' meaning 'to keep or care for'.

'hous' and 'kepen' combined to form 'housekeeper' in Middle English, eventually becoming the modern English word 'housekeeper'.

Initially, it meant 'one who keeps or manages a house', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.