'shock' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'choc' / 'choquer', where 'choc' meant 'a blow or collision'.

'shock' changed from Middle English forms such as 'shok' or 'schok' (influenced by Old French 'choc') and eventually became the modern English word 'shock'.

Initially, it meant 'a blow or collision'; over time it evolved to mean 'a sudden disturbance or strong emotional/physical impact' and was later extended to specialized senses such as 'electrical shock'.