'overthrow' originates from Old English and Middle English elements: the prefix 'over-' (Old English 'ofer') meaning 'above' or 'excessively' combined with the verb 'throw' (Middle English 'throwen').

'overthrow' developed in Middle English as 'overthrowen' (to throw over or down) and later simplified to the modern English 'overthrow.'

Initially it had the literal sense 'to throw over or down'; over time it gained the extended sense 'to remove from power,' which is common in modern usage.