'spider' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'spīthra', where 'spī-' meant 'to spin' and '-thra' was a suffix used for agents.

'spīthra' changed from Old English to the Middle English word 'spider', and eventually became the modern English word 'spider'.

Initially, it meant 'one who spins', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an arachnid that spins webs'.