'renunciation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'renuntiātiō' (or 'renuntiatio'), where the prefix 're-' meant 'back/again' and 'nuntiare' meant 'to announce/report'.

'renunciation' changed from medieval Latin 'renuntiātiō' through Old French (forms like 'renoncier'/'renonciacion') and Middle English 'renunciacioun' to the modern English word 'renunciation'.

Initially, it meant 'a reporting back or announcement', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the act of formally giving up or refusing (a right, claim, belief, etc.)'.