'muscle' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'musculus,' where 'mus' meant 'mouse' and '-culus' was a diminutive suffix, referring to the appearance of muscles moving under the skin like mice.

'musculus' transformed into the Old French word 'muscle,' and eventually became the modern English word 'muscle' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'little mouse,' referring to the appearance of muscles, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a band of fibrous tissue.'