'averruncation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'averruncare', where 'ab-/a-' meant 'away' and the element related to 'eruncare' meant 'to pluck up (by the roots)'.

'averruncare' passed into Late/Medieval Latin and appeared in English in forms such as the verb 'averruncate' (attested in early modern English), from which the noun 'averruncation' was formed.

Initially associated with the idea of removing or warding off by pulling away, its English usage narrowed to denote the act of uprooting or complete removal (often in an archaic or literary register).