'petrifaction' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'petrificatio' (from the verb 'petrificare'), where 'petra' (from Greek) meant 'rock' and 'ficare' meant 'to make'.

'petrifaction' changed from Late Latin 'petrificatio' and the verb form 'petrificare', passed into Old French influence (e.g. 'pétrifier'), and was adopted into Middle/Modern English as 'petrifaction'.

Initially, it meant 'to make into stone' (a literal geological or chemical process), but over time it also acquired the figurative sense 'to paralyze with fear' or 'to stupefy'.