'marketable' originates from the word 'market,' which comes from the Latin word 'mercatus,' meaning 'trade' or 'market.'

'mercatus' transformed into the Old French word 'marché,' and eventually became the modern English word 'market' with the suffix '-able' added to form 'marketable.'

Initially, it meant 'able to be traded or sold,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.