'rabies' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'rabies', where the root 'rab-' (from 'rabere') meant 'madness' or 'rage'.

'rabies' passed into Middle English (e.g. Middle English 'raibys') via Old French and Medieval Latin from the Classical Latin 'rabies', eventually becoming the modern English word 'rabies'.

Initially it referred broadly to 'madness' or 'rage'; over time the meaning narrowed to denote the specific viral disease characterized by madness-like symptoms, especially in animals.