'infest' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'infestare', where 'in-' meant 'into' and 'festus' meant 'hostile'.

'infestare' transformed into the Old French word 'infester', and eventually became the modern English word 'infest' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to attack or disturb', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to overrun or invade in large numbers'.