'incidence' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'incidentia,' where 'in-' meant 'into' and 'cadere' meant 'to fall.'

'incidentia' transformed into the French word 'incidence,' and eventually became the modern English word 'incidence' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a falling upon,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'occurrence or rate of occurrence.'