'depreciate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'depretiāre,' where 'de-' meant 'down' and 'pretium' meant 'price.'

'depretiāre' transformed into the French word 'déprécier,' and eventually became the modern English word 'depreciate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to lower the price of something,' but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'decrease in value' and 'belittle.'