1600, "a way of approach" (originally a military word), from M.Fr. avenue "way of access," from O.Fr. avenue "act of approaching, arrival," from fem. of avenu, pp. of avenir "arrive," from L. advenire "to come," from ad- "to" + venire "to come" (see venue). Meaning shifted to "a way of approach to a country-house," usually bordered by trees, hence, "a broad, tree-lined roadway" (1654), then to "wide, main street" (1858, esp. in U.S.).