'specialisation' originates from French and Latin, specifically the French word 'spécialisation' (from 'spécialiser'), where the root 'special-' comes from Latin 'specialis' meaning 'particular' (itself from Latin 'species' meaning 'appearance, kind').

'specialisation' developed via Middle French and Modern French ('spécialiser' / 'spécialisation') and through the English verb 'specialise' (from French/Latin roots) eventually forming the English noun 'specialisation' (also spelled 'specialization' in US English).

Initially related to the idea of something being 'particular' or a distinct 'kind' (from Latin 'specialis'/'species'); over time it shifted toward the modern sense of narrowing focus or developing expertise in a limited area.