'disburse' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'desbourser', where 'des-' meant 'out' and 'bourser' meant 'purse'.

'desbourser' transformed into the Middle English word 'disbursen', and eventually became the modern English word 'disburse'.

Initially, it meant 'to take out money from a purse', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to pay out money'.