'spearhead' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'sper' meaning 'spear' and 'heafod' meaning 'head'.

'sperheafod' transformed into the Middle English word 'sperhed', and eventually became the modern English word 'spearhead'.

Initially, it meant 'the head of a spear', but over time it evolved to also mean 'to lead or initiate'.