'phrase' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'phrasis', where 'phrazein' meant 'to tell' or 'to declare'.

'phrase' came into English via Late Latin and Old French (Old French 'phrase'), with Middle English adopting forms such as 'phrasen', eventually becoming modern English 'phrase' and then the verb/past form 'phrased'.

Initially it meant 'a way of speaking' or 'an expression', but over time it evolved into the modern senses of 'a unit or group of words' and the verb sense 'to put into words' (hence 'phrased' as expressed wording).