'overproduce' originates from the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' and the verb 'produce' from Latin 'producere', where 'pro-' meant 'forward' and 'ducere' meant 'to lead'.

'producere' transformed into the Old French word 'produire', and eventually became the modern English word 'produce'. The prefix 'over-' was added to form 'overproduce'.

Initially, it meant 'to lead forward excessively', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to produce more than needed'.