'drawback' originates from Middle English, specifically the words 'draw' and 'back', where 'draw' meant 'to pull' and 'back' referred to 'a backward direction'.

'draw' and 'back' combined in Middle English to form 'drawback', eventually becoming the modern English word 'drawback'.

Initially, it meant 'to pull back or retreat', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a disadvantage or problem'.