'woodcutting' originates from the Old English word 'wudu' meaning 'wood' and 'cuttan' meaning 'to cut'.

'wudu' and 'cuttan' combined to form the Middle English word 'wodecutting', which eventually became the modern English word 'woodcutting'.

Initially, it meant 'cutting wood for fuel or construction', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the activity or process of cutting down trees and preparing the wood for use'.