'demodulate' originates from Latin-derived elements, specifically built from the prefix 'de-' and the root related to 'modulatus', where 'de-' meant 'remove/reverse' and 'modulatus' (from Latin 'modulari' / 'modus') referred to 'measure' or 'manner' (hence 'modulation').

'demodulate' was formed in modern English by adding the prefix 'de-' to the existing verb 'modulate' (where 'modulate' comes from Latin 'modulatus' via Medieval/Modern Latin and French influence), producing the technical English verb 'demodulate' used in communications and signal processing.

Initially formed to mean 'remove modulation' (literally), its usage evolved into the more specific technical sense 'recover the original information-bearing signal from a modulated carrier.'