'plotline' originates from the combination of 'plot' and 'line', where 'plot' meant 'the main events of a play, novel, movie, or similar work' and 'line' referred to 'a course of action or thought'.

'plot' changed from the Old English word 'plot' meaning 'a small piece of ground' and eventually became the modern English word 'plot' referring to a narrative sequence.

Initially, 'plot' meant 'a small piece of ground', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the main events of a narrative'.