'lute' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'lute,' which came from Old French 'lut,' derived from Arabic 'al-ʿūd,' where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'ʿūd' meant 'wood or stick.'

'al-ʿūd' transformed into the Old French word 'lut,' and eventually became the modern English word 'lute' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a wooden instrument,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.