'unburden' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'unburdenen,' where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'burden' meant 'load or responsibility.'

'unburdenen' transformed into the modern English word 'unburdened' through the addition of the suffix '-ed' to indicate the adjective form.

Initially, it meant 'to remove a load or responsibility,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.