'counterplot' originates from English as a compound of 'counter' + 'plot'. 'counter' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'contre', where 'contre' meant 'against' (ultimately from Latin 'contra'). 'plot' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'plot', where 'plot' originally meant 'a small piece of ground' and later developed the sense 'a scheme or story outline'.

'counterplot' was formed in modern English by compounding the prefix 'counter-' (from Old French 'contre') with the English noun 'plot' (from Middle English 'plot'), producing the sense 'an opposing scheme' in later usage.

Originally, 'plot' referred to a small piece of ground; over time it acquired senses such as 'scheme' or 'conspiracy', and 'counterplot' consequently came to mean 'an opposing scheme or plan'.