'demote' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'demovere', where 'de-' meant 'down/away' and 'movere' meant 'to move'.

'demote' was formed in English by back-formation from the noun 'demotion' (from French 'démotion', ultimately from Latin 'demotio'/'demovere') and came into use in the late 19th century.

Initially, the Latin root meant 'to move away or down', but over time the English verb came to mean specifically 'to reduce in rank or status'.