'apperceptionism' originates from English, specifically the word 'apperception' plus the suffix '-ism', where the Latin prefix 'ad-' (attested in formation as ap-/apper-) meant 'to/toward' and Latin 'percipere' (from 'per-' + 'capere') meant 'to seize, take, or perceive'.

'apperception' came into scholarly use via Latin ('apperceptio' / 'appercipere') and entered English usage (through Medieval/early modern scholarly Latin and philosophical discourse), and the modern formation 'apperceptionism' was created by adding the English/Latin-derived suffix '-ism' to denote a doctrine.

Initially it referred chiefly to the action or process of perceiving or comprehending (the act of 'taking to oneself'), but over time it has come to denote the doctrine or theory that emphasizes that act as central to consciousness and knowledge.