'refuse' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'refusare,' where 're-' meant 'back' and 'fusare' meant 'to pour.'

'refusare' transformed into the Old French word 'refuser,' and eventually became the modern English word 'refuse' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to pour back or reject,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to decline or reject something.'