'physicalism' originates from the English word 'physical,' which is derived from the Latin word 'physica,' meaning 'natural science.'

'physica' transformed into the English word 'physical,' and eventually became the modern English word 'physicalism' through the addition of the suffix '-ism.'

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to natural science,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a philosophical position asserting that everything is physical.'