'lab' is a shortened form of 'laboratory', which originates from the Medieval Latin word 'laboratorium', where 'laborare' meant 'to work'.

'laboratorium' transformed into the English word 'laboratory', and eventually became the modern English word 'lab' as a colloquial abbreviation.

Initially, it meant 'a place for work', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a place for scientific experiments'.