'staffing' originates from the word 'staff', which comes from Old English 'stæf', meaning 'stick' or 'support'.

'staff' evolved from the Old English word 'stæf', which referred to a stick or rod used for support, and eventually came to mean a group of people providing support.

Initially, 'staff' referred to a physical support, but over time it evolved to mean a group of people providing support in an organization.