'understandable' originates from the Old English word 'understandan', where 'under-' meant 'among' and 'standan' meant 'to stand'.

'understandan' transformed into the Middle English word 'understanden', and eventually became the modern English word 'understandable'.

Initially, it meant 'to stand among or in the midst of', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'able to be understood'.