'levy' originates from Old French/Anglo-French, specifically from Old French 'lever' and noun forms like 'levée', ultimately from Latin 'levare' meaning 'to raise' or 'to lift'.

'levare' in Latin developed into Old French 'lever'/'levée' (to raise, a raising), entered Anglo-French and Middle English as forms such as 'levien'/'levy', and eventually became the modern English word 'levy' (and its plural 'levies').

Initially it meant 'to raise' or 'lift up' in a physical sense; over time the meaning shifted to 'raise (taxes, troops, or charges)' and 'an act of raising' (i.e., an imposed charge).