'apotropaism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apotropaios' (from the verb 'apotropein'), where 'apo-' meant 'away' and 'trepein' (root of 'trop-') meant 'to turn' (thus 'to turn away' or 'ward off').

'apotropaism' developed in English from the adjective 'apotropaic' (via Late Latin 'apotropaeus' from Greek 'apotropaios'), with the noun-forming suffix '-ism' producing the modern English noun 'apotropaism'.

Initially associated with the Greek notion of 'turning away' or 'averting' (evil), it evolved into the specific sense 'practices intended to ward off evil' in modern English usage.