'palsy' originates from Old French (via Anglo-Norman), specifically the word 'paralisie', ultimately from Late Latin 'paralysis', where the Greek root 'parálusis' (from 'para-' + 'lyein') is involved: 'para-' meant 'beside' and 'lyein' meant 'to loosen/release'.

'palsy' changed from Middle English forms such as 'palsie' or Anglo-Norman 'paralisie' and eventually became the modern English word 'palsy'.

Initially it meant 'paralysis' in the literal medical sense; over time the term retained this primary meaning and also acquired figurative senses of being rendered powerless or inactive.