'appropriate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'appropriare', where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'proprius' meant 'one's own'.

'appropriate' changed from Late Latin 'appropriatus' and Old French/Medieval Latin forms (such as 'approprier') and eventually became the modern English word 'appropriate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to make one's own', but over time it evolved into current meanings of 'to take for one's own use (sometimes improperly)' and 'to set aside (funds/resources) for a purpose'.