'blemish' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'blesme' or the verb 'blesmer', where the root 'bles-' meant 'a wound' or 'to wound'.

'blemish' changed from Old French 'blesme/ blesmer' into Middle English forms such as 'blemishen' and eventually became the modern English word 'blemish'.

Initially, it meant 'a wound or injury', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a mark, defect, or spoilage (physical or reputational)'.