'paniquear' originates from Spanish, specifically formed from the noun 'pánico' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ear', ultimately related to French 'panique' and Latin 'panicus' (from Greek 'panikon') where 'Pan' referred to the Greek god Pan.

'paniquear' developed in Spanish by adding the productive verbal suffix '-ear' to 'pánico' (from French 'panique'), which in turn came from Latin 'panicus' and Greek 'panikon' (related to the god 'Pan').

Initially associated with 'Pan' or things causing sudden fear ('panic'); over time the noun meant 'panic' and the derived verb came to mean 'to become panicked' or 'to panic'.