'bas-relief' originates from French, specifically the word 'bas-relief', where 'bas' meant 'low' and 'relief' meant 'relief' (a raised or lifted surface).

'bas-relief' entered English from French in the 18th century; the French term combines 'bas' (low) and a form related to Old French 'relever'/'releif' and ultimately Latin 'relevare' meaning 'to raise', producing the notion of a 'low' or 'shallow' raised work.

Initially it meant 'a form of relief sculpture with low projection', and over time it has retained that core meaning of 'a shallow relief sculpture'.