'midwinter' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'midwinter,' where 'mid-' meant 'middle' and 'winter' referred to the coldest season of the year.

'midwinter' has remained largely unchanged from its Old English form 'midwinter' to the modern English word 'midwinter'.

Initially, it meant 'the middle of winter,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.