'ostracism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ostrakismos', where 'ostrakon' meant 'pottery shard' used for voting.

'ostrakismos' transformed into the Latin word 'ostracismus', and eventually became the modern English word 'ostracism'.

Initially, it meant 'a method of temporary banishment by popular vote', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'exclusion from a group'.