'bamboozle' originates from English slang of the late 17th century; its precise origin is uncertain, though earlier forms such as 'bombaze' or 'bambooz' have been suggested as related forms.

'bamboozle' may have developed from early modern English slang variants like 'bombaze' or 'bambooz' and later stabilized as 'bamboozle' in modern English; the noun 'bamboozlement' was formed by adding the suffix '-ment'.

Initially used to mean 'to perplex or confuse' in slang contexts, the sense shifted toward 'to deceive or trick', and the noun 'bamboozlement' came to denote the act of deceiving or the state of being deceived.