'epidemic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'epidēmia,' where 'epi-' meant 'upon' and 'dēmos' meant 'people.'

'epidēmia' transformed into the Latin word 'epidemia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'epidemic' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a disease upon the people,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease.'