'attainder' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'attainder', ultimately from Old French 'ataindre' (later 'atteindre'), where the prefix 'a-' meant 'to/toward' and the root from Latin 'tangere' meant 'to touch/strike'.

'attainder' changed from Old French 'ataindre' via Middle English 'attainder' and eventually became the modern English word 'attainder'.

Initially it meant 'to stain' or 'a stain/taint' (a mark of guilt or dishonor); over time it evolved into the specialized legal sense of 'a judgment of guilt causing forfeiture of rights and property'.