'obey' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'obeir', where 'ob-' meant 'toward' and 'audire' meant 'to hear'.

'obeir' transformed into the Middle English word 'obeyen', and eventually became the modern English word 'obey'.

Initially, it meant 'to hear or listen to', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to follow commands or rules'.