'evaporation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'evaporatio', where 'e-' meant 'out of' and 'vapor' meant 'steam or mist'.

'evaporatio' transformed into the Old French word 'evaporation', and eventually became the modern English word 'evaporation'.

Initially, it meant 'the act of turning into vapor', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.