'ashamed' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'āscamian,' where 'ā-' meant 'intensive' and 'scamian' meant 'to feel shame.'

'āscamian' transformed into the Middle English word 'ashamed,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ashamed.'

Initially, it meant 'to feel shame intensely,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.