Here's a breakdown of its etymology:
* Latin: *hospitale* (meaning "guest house")
* Old French: *hostel* (meaning "inn" or "guest house")
* Middle English: *hospital* (meaning "place for the sick and needy")
The original concept of hospitals was indeed a place where travelers and the poor could find shelter and care. Over time, the focus shifted towards providing medical care for the sick and injured.
Interestingly, the term "hospital" was not initially associated with medical treatment. It was only later that the word came to be synonymous with places dedicated to the sick and wounded.