'abolitionism' originates from the Latin word 'abolitio', where 'abolit-' meant 'to destroy or put an end to'.

'abolitio' transformed into the French word 'abolition', and eventually became the modern English word 'abolitionism' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to destroy or put an end to something', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'advocacy for the abolition of slavery'.