-wards

1.
variant of -ward:
towards; afterwards.
Origin
Middle English; Old English -weardes, equivalent to -weard toward (see ward) + -es -s1
Usage note
See -ward.
British Dictionary definitions for -wards

-wards

suffix
1.
indicating direction towards: a step backwards, to sail shorewards Compare -ward
Word Origin
Old English -weardes towards