'lament' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'lamentum' and the verb 'lamentari', where 'lament-' meant 'a wailing, an expression of sorrow' and 'lamentari' meant 'to bewail'

'lament' changed from Old French 'lamenter' (to bewail) and Middle English 'lamenten' and eventually became the modern English word 'lament'.

Initially, it meant 'a wailing or a vocal expression of sorrow', but over time it evolved into the broader verbal sense 'to express sorrow or regret' used in modern English.