'supervisory' originates from the Latin word 'supervidere,' where 'super-' meant 'over' and 'videre' meant 'to see.'

'supervidere' transformed into the Old French word 'superviser,' and eventually became the modern English word 'supervise,' from which 'supervisory' is derived.

Initially, it meant 'to oversee or watch over,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.