'doorstep' originates from Middle English, combining 'door' from Old English 'duru' meaning 'door' and 'step' from Old English 'stæpe' meaning 'step'.

'doorstep' evolved from the Middle English word 'dorstæpe', eventually becoming the modern English word 'doorstep'.

Initially, it referred to a literal step at the entrance of a door, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.