'destarch' originates from a combination of the prefix 'de-' (ultimately from Latin) and the English word 'starch', where 'de-' meant 'remove' and 'starch' referred to the substance used to stiffen cloth.

'starch' derived from Old English 'stearc' meaning 'stiff', which developed into Middle English 'starch' and then modern English 'starch'; 'destarch' was formed by adding the prefix 'de-' to the modern English word 'starch'.

Initially related to 'starch' meaning 'stiffness' and actions to alter that property, 'destarch' has meant 'to remove starch (and thus stiffness) from cloth' since its formation and retains that specific meaning.