'caricature' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'caricatura', where 'caricare' meant 'to load' or 'to charge'.

'caricatura' (Italian) passed into French as 'caricature' and then into English in the mid-18th century as 'caricature'.

Initially it was associated with the idea of 'loading' or 'exaggerating' a likeness; over time it came to mean an intentionally exaggerated or distorted representation (often humorous or satirical).