'windstorm' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'wind' and 'storm', where 'wind' meant 'air in motion' and 'storm' meant 'violent disturbance'.

'wind' and 'storm' were combined in Middle English to form 'windstorm', eventually becoming the modern English word 'windstorm'.

Initially, it meant 'a violent disturbance of the air', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.