'tribe' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'tribus', where 'tri-' meant 'three' and '-bus' referred to a division or group.

'tribus' transformed into the Old French word 'tribu', and eventually became the modern English word 'tribe' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a division of the Roman people', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a social group with common ties'.