'reproach' originates from Old French 'reprocher' (verb) and Old French 'reproche' (noun), ultimately from Latin elements such as 're-' (back, again) and 'probare'/'probrum' (to test; reproach, disgrace).

'reproach' changed from Old French 'reprocher'/'reproche' into Middle English forms like 'reprochen' and eventually became the modern English word 'reproach'.

Initially it meant 'to find fault with or to shame' and over time it has retained much the same sense of expressing blame or criticism, with extended uses (e.g., 'beyond reproach').