'marking' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'mearc' (Old English), where the root meant 'boundary, sign'; the suffix '-ing' (Old English) was used to form nouns indicating an action or result.

'marking' developed as the noun/gerund form of Middle English 'mark' (from Old English 'mearc'); the addition of the suffix '-ing' produced the modern English word 'marking'.

Initially related to the idea of a 'boundary' or 'sign' (from Old English 'mearc'), over time it evolved into the current senses of a visible sign or a notation: 'a sign on a surface' or 'a sign/notation indicating information'.