'leave-taking' originates from the combination of 'leave' and 'taking', where 'leave' meant 'permission to depart' and 'taking' referred to the act of taking or receiving.

'leave-taking' evolved from the Old English word 'læfan' (leave) and 'tacan' (take), eventually forming the modern English compound word 'leave-taking'.

Initially, it meant 'the act of departing', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'saying goodbye'.