'devour' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'devourer,' where 'de-' meant 'down' and 'vorare' meant 'to swallow.'

'devourer' transformed into the Middle English word 'devouren,' and eventually became the modern English word 'devour.'

Initially, it meant 'to swallow down,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to eat eagerly and in large amounts.'