'retrogressive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'retrogressus,' where 'retro-' meant 'backward' and 'gressus' meant 'step.'

'retrogressus' transformed into the French word 'rétrogressif,' and eventually became the modern English word 'retrogressive' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to step backward,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'characterized by a return to a previous state, often a worse one.'