'paper' originates from Middle English 'paper', from Old French 'papier', ultimately from Latin 'papyrus' and Greek 'papyros', where the original referred to the papyrus plant and the writing material made from it.

'paper' passed into Middle English from Old French 'papier', which came from Latin 'papyrus'; the modern verb 'to paper' (meaning to cover with paper) developed from the noun 'paper'.

Initially, it referred to the material made from the papyrus plant ('papyrus' used for writing), but over time it came to mean the manufactured writing or covering material 'paper' and later the verb senses such as 'to cover with paper' and 'to furnish with papers'.