'waive' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'gaiver,' where 'gaiver' meant 'to abandon or renounce.'

'gaiver' transformed into the Middle English word 'weyven,' and eventually became the modern English word 'waive.'

Initially, it meant 'to abandon or renounce,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to refrain from insisting on or using.'