'lawless' originates from English, specifically from the combination of the word 'law' (from Old Norse 'lagu' or Old English 'lagu') and the suffix '-less' (Old English 'lēas'), where 'lagu' meant 'law, something laid down' and 'lēas' meant 'without'.

'lawless' changed from Middle English 'lawles' (formed by 'law' + Old English suffix '-lēas') and eventually became the modern English form 'lawless', with the adverb formed by adding '-ly' to create 'lawlessly'.

Initially, it meant 'without law' or 'not under law', but over time it evolved to commonly mean 'acting without regard for the law' or 'in a disorderly/anarchic way'.