'ravenous' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'ravineux,' where 'ravine' meant 'violent rush or robbery.'

'ravineux' transformed into the Middle English word 'ravinous,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ravenous.'

Initially, it meant 'violently greedy or rapacious,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'extremely hungry or greedy.'