'would' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'wolde,' which is the past tense of 'willan,' meaning 'to wish or desire.'

'wolde' transformed into the Middle English word 'wold,' and eventually became the modern English word 'would.'

Initially, it meant 'to wish or desire,' but over time it evolved into its current usage as a modal verb indicating future actions from a past perspective or hypothetical situations.