'disparage' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'desparagier,' where 'des-' (later 'dis-') meant 'away, loss' and 'parage' meant 'rank, lineage' (from Latin 'par' meaning 'equal').

'disparage' changed from Old French 'desparagier' into Middle English forms such as 'disparagen' or 'disparagen' and eventually became the modern English word 'disparage'.

Initially, it meant 'to deprive of rank or to marry beneath (to lower social standing)', but over time it evolved into the general sense 'to belittle or speak of someone/something as having little worth'.