'nostril' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'nosthyrl', where 'nosu' meant 'nose' and 'thyrel' meant 'hole'.

'nosthyrl' changed into Middle English forms such as 'nostril' and eventually became the modern English word 'nostril'.

Initially, it meant 'nose-hole' and over time it retained essentially the same meaning as the modern 'nostril'.