'overextend' originates from the prefix 'over-' meaning 'beyond' and the verb 'extend' from Latin 'extendere', where 'ex-' meant 'out' and 'tendere' meant 'to stretch'.

'extendere' transformed into the Old French word 'estendre', and eventually became the modern English word 'extend'. The prefix 'over-' was added to form 'overextend'.

Initially, it meant 'to stretch out', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to extend beyond a safe or reasonable point'.