'apagogue' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apagōgē' (ἀπαγωγή), where 'apo-' (ἀπό) meant 'away' and 'agō'/'agein' (ἄγω/ἄγειν) meant 'to lead'.

'apagōgē' passed into Classical and Medieval Latin forms (e.g. Medieval Latin 'apagoge'/'apagogus') and was borrowed into English as 'apagogue' in later scholarly and rhetorical usage.

Initially it meant 'a leading away' or 'a carrying off' in a more literal sense; over time, in rhetorical and logical contexts it came to mean 'leading (an argument) away to show impossibility or absurdity', i.e. a form of refutation.