'atwite' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'āwītan', where the prefix 'ā-' meant 'on, at' and 'wīt' meant 'punishment; blame'.

'atwite' changed from the Middle English word 'atwiten', which developed from Old English 'āwītan', and eventually became the archaic modern English form 'atwite'.

Initially, it meant 'to inflict punishment or assign blame', but over time it evolved into its (archaic) meaning of 'to reproach or blame someone'.