'decompress' originates from the prefix 'de-' meaning 'reverse' and the word 'compress' from Latin 'comprimere', where 'com-' meant 'together' and 'premere' meant 'to press'.

'decompress' evolved from the combination of 'de-' and 'compress', which was used in the context of pressure and data.

Initially, it meant 'to release from pressure', but it has expanded to include restoring data to its original form.