'untie' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'untīgan', where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'tīgan' meant 'to tie'.

'untīgan' transformed into the Middle English word 'untien', and eventually became the modern English word 'untie'.

Initially, it meant 'to release from a tie or binding', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.