'unladen' originates from Old English elements: the negative prefix 'un-' and 'laden' from Old English 'hladan', where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'hladan' meant 'to load.'

'unladen' developed from Old English compounds (e.g. 'un-' + 'hladan') into Middle English forms such as 'unladen' and eventually became the modern English word 'unladen'.

Initially, it meant 'not loaded' (literally not carrying a load); over time it has retained that primary sense and is still used to mean 'not carrying cargo' or 'not burdened'.