'barleybreak' originates from English, specifically a compound of the words 'barley' and 'break', where 'barley' referred to the grain and 'break' referred to a break, division, or plot of ground used for play or activity.

'barleybreak' changed from Middle English forms such as 'barley-breke' or 'barle-brek' and was used in Early Modern English to name the country game; the compound thus developed in English from separate elements 'barley' + 'break' into the single lexical item 'barleybreak'.

Initially it denoted a game (possibly played in or near a break or plot of barley), and over time the term came to be specifically associated with the courting/tag game known from 16th–17th century England; it was also used figuratively in older literature to suggest amorous play.