'rescue' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'rescourre,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'escourre' meant 'to shake off.'

'rescourre' transformed into the Middle English word 'rescuen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'rescue.'

Initially, it meant 'to shake off again,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to save from danger.'