'profligacy' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'profligatus,' where 'pro-' meant 'forward' and 'fligere' meant 'to strike down.'

'profligatus' transformed into the French word 'profligacie,' and eventually became the modern English word 'profligacy' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to strike down or overthrow,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'extravagant or wasteful use of resources.'