'apocarpy' originates from Greek via New Latin; from Greek elements 'apo-' (away from) + 'karpos' (fruit, often used for carpel) forming New Latin 'apocarpia'.

'apocarpy' changed from Greek 'apokarpos' (formed from 'apo-' + 'karpos') into New Latin 'apocarpia' and then into modern English 'apocarpy', with the regular English plural 'apocarpies'.

Initially it meant 'having separate fruit or carpels', and this botanical meaning has been retained into modern usage to denote the condition of separate (unfused) carpels.