'workflow' originates from English, combining 'work' and 'flow', where 'work' meant 'activity involving mental or physical effort' and 'flow' meant 'the action or fact of moving along in a steady, continuous stream'.

'workflow' was formed in modern English by combining the words 'work' and 'flow'.

Initially, it meant 'the flow of work', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.