'return' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'retourner,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'tourner' meant 'to turn.'

'retourner' transformed into the Middle English word 'returnen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'return.'

Initially, it meant 'to turn back or go back,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to come or go back to a place or condition.'