The word "company" comes from the Old French word "compaignie," which referred to a society, fellowship, or association of people. This, in turn, is derived from the Latin word "compania," which breaks down into "com-" meaning "with" or "together" and "panis" meaning "bread." In essence, it originally referred to a group of people who broke bread together, implying comradeship or fellowship. Over time, the term evolved to refer more broadly to a group of people associated for a common purpose, eventually also coming to denote a business enterprise.