'stiffener' originates from the English word 'stiffen,' which comes from the Old English 'stifan,' meaning 'to make or become stiff.'

'stiffen' evolved from the Old English 'stifan' and eventually became the modern English word 'stiffen,' with 'stiffener' as a derivative.

Initially, it meant 'to make or become stiff,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.