'overcomplicate' originates from the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' and the verb 'complicate' from Latin 'complicare', where 'com-' meant 'together' and 'plicare' meant 'to fold'.

'complicare' transformed into the French word 'compliquer', and eventually became the modern English word 'complicate', with 'over-' added to form 'overcomplicate'.

Initially, 'complicate' meant 'to fold together', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to make more complex'.