'permeable' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'permeabilis', where 'per-' meant 'through' and 'meare' meant 'to pass'.

'permeable' changed from Old French word 'perméable' and entered Middle English as 'permeable', eventually becoming the modern English word 'permeable'.

Initially, it meant 'capable of being passed through', and over time it has kept this core sense, now often used specifically for allowing liquids or gases to pass.