'nothingness' originates from the Old English word 'nāwiht,' where 'nā' meant 'no' and 'wiht' meant 'thing.'

'nāwiht' transformed into the Middle English word 'nathingnesse,' and eventually became the modern English word 'nothingness.'

Initially, it meant 'nonexistence or absence of anything,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.