'pavor' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'pavor', where it meant 'fear, panic'.

'pavor' entered English via Late Latin/Modern Latin usage; it was adopted directly from Latin in medical, legal, and poetic contexts and largely retained its original form.

Initially, it meant 'panic, terror', and over time it has remained largely the same in meaning, though its use in modern English is rare and mainly literary or technical.