'healthcare' originates from the combination of 'health' and 'care', where 'health' refers to the state of being free from illness or injury, and 'care' refers to the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.

'healthcare' evolved from the Middle English word 'hele' meaning 'whole' and 'care' from Old English 'caru', eventually forming the modern English word 'healthcare'.

Initially, it meant 'care for health', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'organized medical services'.