Early 17th century: from medieval Latin recriminat- 'accused in return', from the verb recriminari, from re- (expressing opposition) + criminare 'accuse' (from crimen 'crime').

• crime from Middle English:

  The early meanings of crime were ‘wickedness’ and ‘sin’. The word comes via Old French from Latin crimen ‘judgement or offence’, which was based on cernere ‘to judge’ also in concern (Late Middle English), recriminate (early 17th century), and discern (Late Middle English). The expression crime doesn't pay was a slogan associated with the 1930s American radio crime series The Shadow, in which it was spoken by the Shadow at the end of each broadcast. It originated earlier, though, and was the title of a silent film in 1912.