're-establish' originates from Latin and Old French elements: the prefix 're-' (Latin) meaning 'again' and 'establish' from Old French 'establir' (from Late Latin 'stabilire'), where 'stabilire' related to 'stabilis' meant 'make firm/steady'.

'establish' changed from Old French 'establir' (from Late Latin 'stabilire') into Middle English forms such as 'establishen', and in Modern English the prefix 're-' (from Latin) was attached to form 're-establish'.

Initially related to making something firm or stable ('make firm'), and over time it evolved into the general sense of 'set up' or, with the prefix 're-', 'set up again' or 'restore'.