'non-vocal' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'vocal' from Latin 'vocalis', meaning 'pertaining to the voice'.

'Vocalis' transformed into the Old French word 'vocal', and eventually became the modern English word 'vocal'. The prefix 'non-' was added to form 'non-vocal'.

Initially, 'vocal' meant 'pertaining to the voice', and 'non-vocal' has consistently meant 'not involving the voice'.