'waterway' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'wæter' meaning 'water' and 'weg' meaning 'way'.

'wæterweg' transformed into the Middle English word 'waterwei', and eventually became the modern English word 'waterway'.

Initially, it meant 'a path or route for water', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a navigable route for travel by water'.