'withstand' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'wiþstandan', where 'wiþ' meant 'against' and 'standan' meant 'to stand'.

'wiþstandan' transformed into the Middle English word 'withstanden', and eventually became the modern English word 'withstand'.

Initially, it meant 'to stand against something', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.