'appropriative' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'appropriare' (past participle 'appropriatus'), where the prefix 'ad-' meant 'to, toward' and 'proprius' meant 'one's own'.

'appropriative' developed from Medieval Latin 'appropriativus' (from 'appropriare') and entered English through Late Latin and Middle English formations to become the modern adjective 'appropriative'.

Initially it referred to the act or result of making something one's own ('to make one's own'); over time it broadened to mean 'relating to appropriation or allocation' and qualities of taking or assigning resources.