'throwback' originates from the combination of 'throw' and 'back', where 'throw' meant 'to cast' and 'back' referred to 'a return to a previous state'.

'throwback' evolved from the literal sense of 'throwing something back' to its current figurative meaning of reverting to an earlier state.

Initially, it meant 'to cast something back', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'reversion to an earlier type'.