'overexploitation' originates from the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessive' and the word 'exploitation' from Latin 'exploitationem', where 'ex-' meant 'out' and 'plorare' meant 'to cry out'.

'exploitationem' transformed into the French word 'exploitation', and eventually became the modern English word 'exploitation', with 'over-' added to indicate excessiveness.

Initially, it meant 'to use resources', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'excessive use of resources'.