'perceive' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'percevoir,' where 'per-' meant 'through' and 'cevoir' meant 'to take.'

'percevoir' transformed into the Middle English word 'perceiven,' and eventually became the modern English word 'perceive.'

Initially, it meant 'to take through the senses,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to become aware of something through the senses.'