'teamwork' originates from the English word 'team' combined with 'work', where 'team' meant 'a group of people working together' and 'work' meant 'activity involving mental or physical effort'.

'team' and 'work' were combined in the late 19th century to form the modern English word 'teamwork'.

Initially, it meant 'the work done by a team', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'effective collaboration'.