'pipework' originates from the combination of 'pipe' and 'work', where 'pipe' refers to a tube for conveying fluids and 'work' refers to the activity involving mental or physical effort.

'pipework' evolved from the Middle English word 'pipe' and the Old English word 'weorc', eventually forming the modern English word 'pipework'.

Initially, it referred to the physical labor involving pipes, but over time it evolved to mean the entire system of pipes.