'non-cooperation' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'cooperation' from Latin 'cooperatio', where 'co-' meant 'together' and 'operari' meant 'to work'.

'cooperatio' transformed into the Old French word 'cooperation', and eventually became the modern English word 'cooperation', with 'non-' added to form 'non-cooperation'.

Initially, it meant 'not working together', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.