'misconduct' originates from the prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' and the word 'conduct' from Latin 'conductus', meaning 'to lead or bring together'.

'conductus' transformed into the Old French word 'conduire', and eventually became the modern English word 'conduct'. The prefix 'mis-' was added to form 'misconduct'.

Initially, it meant 'to lead wrongly', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'improper behavior'.