'usury' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'usura', where 'usus' meant 'use' (from 'uti', 'to use').

'usury' changed from Old French 'usure' (via Middle English 'usurie') and eventually became the modern English word 'usury'.

Initially it meant 'the use or profit from using something' (especially money), but over time it evolved into its current sense of 'charging interest, especially excessive or illegal interest'.