'defrock' originates from the Latin word 'defrōcāre', where 'de-' meant 'remove' and 'frōcāre' meant 'to clothe'.

'defrōcāre' transformed into the Old French word 'desfroquer', and eventually became the modern English word 'defrock'.

Initially, it meant 'to remove clothing', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to remove a priest from their position'.