'raise' originates from Old Norse, specifically the word 'reisa', where the root meant 'to raise, set up'.

'raise' changed from Old Norse 'reisa' into Middle English forms such as 'reisen'/'raisen' and eventually became the modern English word 'raise'.

Initially, it meant 'to lift up or set up', and over time it broadened to include 'to increase' (e.g., wages, prices) and other figurative senses.