'stink' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'stincan', where 'stincan' meant 'to emit a smell'.

'stincan' transformed into the Middle English word 'stinken', and eventually became the modern English word 'stink'.

Initially, it meant 'to emit a smell', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to emit a strong, unpleasant smell'.