'antepagment' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'antepagmentum,' where 'ante-' meant 'before' and 'pagmentum' meant 'a joining or fastening (a piece fastened).'

'antepagmentum' passed through Medieval Latin and was adopted into English (via Middle English) as 'antepagment,' retaining its sense related to a front or fastening and later narrowing to mean an ornamental front or facing.

Initially, it meant 'a fastening or joining at the front' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an ornamental facing or front decoration.'