'slave' originates from the Medieval Latin word 'sclavus', which meant 'Slav', as many Slavs were captured and enslaved during the Middle Ages.

'sclavus' transformed into the Old French word 'esclave', and eventually became the modern English word 'slave'.

Initially, it referred to a person of Slavic origin who was enslaved, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of any person who is enslaved.