'pierce' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'percer,' where 'per-' meant 'through' and 'cer' meant 'to cut.'

'percer' transformed into the Middle English word 'piercen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'pierce'.

Initially, it meant 'to cut through,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to penetrate or make a hole.'