'obscure' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'obscurus', where 'ob-' meant 'over' and 'scurus' meant 'covered'.

'obscurus' transformed into the Old French word 'obscur', and eventually became the modern English word 'obscure' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'covered over or dark', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not clear or hard to understand'.