'anglicism' originates from French, specifically the word 'anglicisme,' where 'anglic-' meant 'English' and '-isme' meant 'practice or system.'

'anglicisme' was adopted into English as 'anglicism' in the 17th century, and eventually became the modern English word 'anglicism.'

Initially, it meant 'a characteristic of the English language or culture,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.