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

'reprimere' passed into Vulgar Latin and Old Spanish as forms like 'reprimere' / 'reprimir', eventually becoming the modern Spanish verb 'reprimir'.

Initially it meant 'to press back' (literally), but over time it evolved into the broader sense 'to repress/suppress' (including emotions, actions, or movements).