'rappel' originates from French, specifically the word 'rappeler,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'appeler' meant 'to call.'

'rappeler' transformed into the English word 'rappel,' and eventually became the modern English word 'rappel' through borrowing.

Initially, it meant 'to call back,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to descend a vertical surface using a rope.'