'apport' originates from French, specifically the word 'apport', where the prefix 'ap-' (from Latin 'ad-') meant 'toward' and 'porter' (from Latin 'portare') meant 'to carry'.

'apport' changed from Old French/modern French words such as 'apporter'/'apport' and entered English usage in the 19th century, especially in writings on spiritualism, becoming the specialized English term 'apport'.

Initially, it meant 'a bringing or contribution' in a general sense, but over time it evolved into the specialized meaning 'an object claimed to be brought by spirits' in spiritualism; the general sense is now rare.