'docetism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'dokein' (δοκεῖν), where the root meant 'to seem' or 'to appear'.

'docetism' came into English via Late Latin 'docetismus' (from Greek 'doketismos'), which described the doctrinal position; the term entered theological use in medieval and later Christian writings and became 'docetism' in modern English.

Initially, it referred specifically to the particular Christological doctrine that Christ only appeared to have a physical body, but over time it has also been used more generally for views that reduce bodily or material reality to mere appearance.