The word 兜风 is formed by combining the character 兜, which originally depicted a hood or pouch that holds or wraps around something, with the character 风, meaning wind. Together, they create a vivid conceptual image: the action of "catching" or "scooping up" the wind, much like a pouch would hold an object, which perfectly evokes the sensation and experience of riding in an open vehicle for pleasure, allowing the wind to swirl around you.