'regret' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'regreter,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'greter' meant 'to weep or lament.'

'regreter' transformed into the Middle English word 'regreten,' and eventually became the modern English word 'regret.'

Initially, it meant 'to weep or lament again,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to feel sad or disappointed over something.'