'pleasureless' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'pleasure' + the suffix '-less'; 'pleasure' itself comes via Old French 'plaisir'/'plesir' from Latin 'placēre' meaning 'to please', and the suffix '-less' comes from Old English meaning 'without'.

'pleasure' developed from Old French 'plaisir' (or 'plesir') into Middle English 'plesure' and then modern English 'pleasure'; combining this noun with the Old English suffix '-less' produced the adjective 'pleasureless' in Modern English.

Initially formed to mean 'without pleasure' and it has retained that core meaning, though it has been used both in literal and more figurative senses (e.g., describing mood or atmosphere).