'profit-maximizing' originates from the combination of 'profit' and 'maximize,' where 'profit' meant 'financial gain' and 'maximize' meant 'to make as large as possible.'

'profit' changed from the Old French word 'profit' and eventually became the modern English word 'profit.' 'Maximize' evolved from the Latin word 'maximus,' meaning 'greatest.'

Initially, 'profit' meant 'advantage or benefit,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'financial gain.'