'carnality' originates from Latin, specifically the words 'carnalis' and Late Latin 'carnalitas', where 'caro, carnis' meant 'flesh'.

'carnality' developed in English from the adjective 'carnal' (from Latin 'carnalis') with the noun-forming suffix '-ity'; the adjective reached Middle English via Old French 'carnal', and the modern English noun emerged in Early Modern English.

Initially it meant 'the state or quality of being fleshly' (often with sexual connotations); over time the core sense has remained similar but usage can range from concrete physicality to moral/sexual contexts.