'abandonment' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'abandonement' (from 'abandoner'), where 'a-' meant 'to' or 'at' and 'bandon' meant 'control, jurisdiction'.

'abandon' changed from Old French 'abandoner' and Old French 'abandonement' and eventually became the modern English noun 'abandonment' via Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to put under someone else's control or give up to another's authority', but over time it evolved into meanings of 'giving up', 'deserting', or 'letting go', as in the modern uses.