'acupuncture' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'acupunctura', where 'acus' meant 'needle' and 'punctura' meant 'pricking'.

'acupunctura' transformed into the French word 'acupuncture', and eventually became the modern English word 'acupuncture' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'pricking with a needle', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a method of treating pain or illness by inserting needles into specific points on the body'.