'recoil' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'reculer,' where 're-' meant 'back' and 'culer' meant 'to move.'

'reculer' transformed into the Middle English word 'recoilen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'recoil.'

Initially, it meant 'to move back,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to spring back in fear or disgust.'