'prohibitive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'prohibitivus,' where 'pro-' meant 'before' and 'habere' meant 'to hold.'

'prohibitivus' transformed into the French word 'prohibitif,' and eventually became the modern English word 'prohibitive' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to hold back or prevent,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'excessively high or restrictive.'