'inhale' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inhalare', where 'in-' meant 'into' and 'halare' meant 'to breathe'.

'inhale' changed from the Latin word 'inhalare' (Late Latin) and entered English via Middle English/early Modern English as 'inhale'.

Initially it meant 'to breathe into' or 'to draw in with the breath', and over time it has retained this core meaning of 'drawing air or other substance into the lungs'.