'courtesy' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'courtoisie,' where 'court' meant 'court' and '-oisie' was a suffix indicating quality or state.

'courtoisie' transformed into the Middle English word 'courtesie,' and eventually became the modern English word 'courtesy'.

Initially, it meant 'courtly manners or behavior,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'polite behavior or gestures'.