'supplant' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'supplantare', where 'sub-' meant 'under' and 'planta' meant 'sole of the foot'.

'supplantare' transformed into the Old French word 'supplanter', and eventually became the modern English word 'supplant' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to trip up or overthrow', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to replace or displace'.