'meatless' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'mete,' where 'mete' meant 'food' or 'meat.'

'mete' transformed into the Middle English word 'mete,' and eventually became the modern English word 'meat' with the suffix '-less' added to denote absence.

Initially, it meant 'without food,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'without meat.'