'reprimand' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'reprimere,' where 're-' meant 'back' and 'primere' (from 'premere') meant 'to press.'

'reprimand' changed through Medieval Latin and Anglo-French forms (e.g. Medieval Latin 'reprimandare' and Anglo-French/Old French 'reprimander') and eventually became the modern English word 'reprimand' in Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to press back, restrain,' and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to rebuke or scold (often formally).'