'apanage' originates from French, specifically the word 'apanage', ultimately from Medieval Latin 'apanagium', where the element 'ad-' + Latin 'panis' (bread) contributed the sense of a provision or allowance.

'apanage' changed from Medieval Latin 'apanagium' into Old French 'apanage' and was borrowed into English as 'apanage', later producing verb forms such as 'apanage' and participles like 'apanaging'.

Initially, it meant 'a provision or allowance (literally a provision of bread)', but over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'a grant (especially of land or revenue) to a junior member of a ruling family'.