'pathless' is formed in English from the word 'path' and the suffix '-less', where 'path' means 'a way or track' and '-less' means 'without'.

'Pathless' was created in English by combining 'path' (from Old English 'pæth') and '-less' (from Old English '-lēas'), and has been used since the 16th century.

Initially, it meant 'without a path', and this meaning has remained unchanged in modern usage.