'denude' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'denudare', where 'de-' meant 'away' and 'nudus' meant 'naked'.

'denude' changed from Medieval Latin 'denudare' and Old French/Anglo-Norman forms such as 'denuder', and eventually became the modern English word 'denude' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to make naked or bare', and over time it has retained that core sense while extending to figurative uses ('to deprive').