'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 little mice.

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

Initially, it referred to 'a small mouse,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a body tissue that can contract.'