'repave' originates from the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and the word 'pave' from Latin 'pavire' meaning 'to beat or ram down'.

'pavire' transformed into the Old French word 'paver', and eventually became the modern English word 'pave'. The prefix 're-' was added to form 'repave'.

Initially, it meant 'to cover a surface with a hard material again', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.