'aprieto' originates from Spanish, specifically from the verb 'apretar' (Old Spanish 'apretiar'), ultimately from Vulgar Latin *appretiare derived from Latin 'pressare' (from 'premere' meaning 'to press').

'aprieto' changed from Old Spanish 'apretiar' (noun and verb forms) via Vulgar Latin '*appretiare' and Late Latin 'pressare' to become the modern Spanish noun 'aprieto'.

Initially it was related to the literal sense 'pressed' or 'tightened', but over time it evolved into the current figurative meaning 'a tight spot' or 'predicament'.