'walkable' originates from the English word 'walk' combined with the suffix '-able', where 'walk' meant 'to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn' and '-able' meant 'capable of'.

'walk' changed from the Old English word 'wealcan' meaning 'to roll' and eventually became the modern English word 'walk'.

Initially, it meant 'capable of being walked on', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.