'crossline' originates from Middle English, specifically the words 'cross' and 'line', where 'cross' meant 'to intersect' and 'line' meant 'a long narrow mark or band'.

'cross' and 'line' were combined in Middle English to form 'crossline', eventually becoming the modern English word 'crossline'.

Initially, it meant 'a line that intersects another', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.