'surreptitious' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'surrepticius,' where 'sub-' meant 'under' and 'rapere' meant 'to seize.'

'surrepticius' transformed into the French word 'surréptice,' and eventually became the modern English word 'surreptitious' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to seize secretly,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.'