'prudery' originates from French, specifically the word 'pruderie', where the element 'prude' referred to being 'virtuous' or 'respectable' and the suffix '-ery' formed a noun denoting a quality or practice.

'prudery' changed from French 'pruderie' (Modern French) and the English noun 'prude' (from Old French 'prud'/'prude'), which ultimately derives from Latin 'probus' meaning 'good' or 'honorable'; English formed 'prudery' by adding the productive suffix '-ery' to 'prude'.

Initially related to being 'virtuous' or 'respectable' (from 'prude'/'probus'), but over time the sense shifted to the modern meaning of 'excessive or affected modesty' (particularly about sexual matters).