'playability' originates from the word 'playable', which is derived from the verb 'play' combined with the suffix '-able', indicating capability or suitability.

'play' transformed into 'playable' by adding the suffix '-able', and eventually became the noun 'playability' to describe the quality of being playable.

Initially, 'play' meant 'to engage in activity for enjoyment', and over time, 'playability' evolved to describe the quality of how enjoyable or engaging an activity, especially a game, is.