'stakeholder' originates from the combination of 'stake' and 'holder', where 'stake' meant 'a share or interest' and 'holder' referred to 'a person who holds or possesses something'.

'stakeholder' evolved from the concept of holding a stake in a venture, which was common in early business practices.

Initially, it meant 'a person holding a stake in a bet or venture', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person or group with an interest in an organization'.