'spice' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'espice', ultimately from Latin 'species' where 'species' meant 'kind, sort' and was used for goods and merchandise.

'spice' changed from Old French 'espice' into Middle English 'spice' and eventually became the modern English word 'spice'; the sense shifted from a general 'kind' or 'commodity' (from Latin 'species') to the specific aromatic seasonings.

Initially, it meant 'a kind or commodity' (from Latin 'species'), but over time it narrowed to mean specifically 'aromatic seasoning' and, by extension, something that adds interest or excitement.