'unsatisfactory' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'satisfactory', which comes from Latin 'satisfacere', where 'satis' meant 'enough' and 'facere' meant 'to make'.

'satisfacere' transformed into the Old French word 'satisfaire', and eventually became the modern English word 'satisfactory', with 'un-' added to form 'unsatisfactory'.

Initially, it meant 'not making enough', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not meeting expectations or standards'.