'promontory' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'promontorium', where 'pro-' meant 'forward' and 'mons' meant 'mountain'.

'promontorium' transformed into the Old French word 'promontoire', and eventually became the modern English word 'promontory'.

Initially, it meant 'a projecting mountain or hill', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a high point of land or rock projecting into a body of water'.