'restock' originates from the combination of the prefix 're-' (from Latin 're-', meaning 'again') and the word 'stock' (from Old English 'stocc'), where 're-' meant 'again' and 'stocc' referred to a 'stock' or supply.

'stock' changed from Old English 'stocc' to Middle English 'stok' and later to Modern English 'stock'; the verb 'restock' was formed in Modern English by adding the prefix 're-' to 'stock', producing 'restock'.

Initially it combined the sense of 'again' + 'stock' to mean 'to stock again'; over time the meaning has remained focused on replenishing supplies or inventory.