'livestock' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'līf,' meaning 'life,' and 'stoc,' meaning 'stock' or 'supply.'

'līf' and 'stoc' combined in Middle English to form 'livestock,' referring to animals kept for use or profit.

Initially, it meant 'living stock or supply,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'domesticated animals kept for agricultural purposes.'