'incorruptibility' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'incorruptibilitas', where the prefix 'in-' meant 'not' and 'corrumpere' meant 'to break, spoil, or corrupt'.

'incorruptibilitas' passed into Medieval and Middle English forms (e.g. Old French/Latin-influenced 'incorruptibilite' / Middle English 'incorruptibilite') and eventually became the modern English word 'incorruptibility'.

Initially it literally conveyed 'not subject to decay or spoilage' or 'not able to be corrupted', and over time it has retained that core sense while coming to be used especially for moral, legal, and political contexts meaning 'resistant to bribery or moral corruption'.