'wilderness' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'wildēornes,' where 'wild' meant 'wild' and '-erness' meant 'place of.'

'wildēornes' transformed into the Middle English word 'wildernesse,' and eventually became the modern English word 'wilderness.'

Initially, it meant 'a place of wild animals,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a natural environment that has not been significantly modified by human activity.'