'overcook' originates from the combination of 'over-' meaning 'excessively' and 'cook' meaning 'to prepare food by heating'.

'overcook' evolved from the Old English word 'cōcian', which meant 'to prepare food by heating', combined with the prefix 'over-' to indicate excess.

Initially, it meant 'to cook excessively', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.