'fuse' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'fundere'/'fusus', where 'fundere' meant 'to pour' and 'fusus' meant 'poured' (with senses of melting or pouring).

'fuse' changed from Old French 'fuser' (and Late Latin 'fusio') and Middle English forms such as 'fusen' and eventually became the modern English word 'fuse'. Additionally, the noun sense (an electrical 'fuse') developed in the 19th century from the verb sense of melting/interrupting by heat.

Initially it meant 'to pour' or 'to cause to flow' (Latin), and over time this shifted to senses of 'to melt, to join by melting, or to cause interruption (by melting)'; later specialized senses like the electrical safety device emerged.