'parasitism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'parasitos,' where 'para-' meant 'beside' and 'sitos' meant 'food.'

'parasitos' transformed into the Latin word 'parasitus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'parasitism' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'one who eats at the table of another,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.'