From Old French 'dresser' (to arrange), from Latin 'directus' (straight) — clothing sense emerged from 'arranging' appearance.
A one-piece garment for a woman or girl that covers the body and extends down over the legs; also, clothing or attire in general.
From Old French 'dresser' (to arrange, set up, prepare), from Vulgar Latin *directiāre, from Latin 'dīrectus' (straight, direct), past participle of 'dīrigere' (to direct, set straight). The original English meaning was 'to make straight, to set in order, to prepare' — the sense of 'putting on clothing' came from 'dressing' oneself (arranging one's appearance). The noun meaning 'a garment' did not
The word 'dress' originally had nothing to do with clothing — it meant 'to make straight' or 'to arrange,' from Latin 'dīrectus' (straight). 'Dressing' a wound, 'dressing' a salad, and 'dressing' stone all preserve older senses of the word. The clothing sense emerged because putting on clothes was