'expunge' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'expungere,' where 'ex-' meant 'out' and 'pungere' meant 'to prick.'

'expungere' transformed into the French word 'expungier,' and eventually became the modern English word 'expunge' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to prick out,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to erase or remove completely.'