'sinuosity' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'sinuositas' (from 'sinuosus'), where 'sinus' meant 'a curve, fold, or bay'.

'sinuosity' changed from the Latin word 'sinuositas' (via Late Latin and through Middle English adoption of Latin-derived vocabulary) and eventually became the modern English word 'sinuosity'.

Initially, it meant 'the state or quality of being bent or curved,' and over time it has retained that core sense while also being applied metaphorically to describe complexity or indirectness.