'hermitic' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'hermiticus', where 'hermit-' ultimately derives from Greek 'eremites' meaning 'dweller in a desert'.

'hermitic' developed via Late Latin 'hermiticus' (from Greek 'eremites' / 'eremita'), passed into Old/Middle English forms related to 'hermit' and the adjective form 'hermitic', and eventually became the modern English 'hermitic'.

Initially it meant 'of or relating to a hermit (a dweller in the desert)', and over time it kept that specialist sense while also being used more generally to mean 'solitary' or 'reclusive'.