'oversee' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ofersēon', where 'ofer-' meant 'over' and 'sēon' meant 'to see'.

'ofersēon' transformed into the Middle English word 'overseon', and eventually became the modern English word 'oversee'.

Initially, it meant 'to look over or inspect', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to supervise or manage'.