'cacophonous' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'kakophonos,' where 'kakos' meant 'bad' and 'phone' meant 'voice or sound.'

'kakophonos' transformed into the French word 'cacophonique,' and eventually became the modern English word 'cacophonous' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'bad sound,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.