Late 16th century; earliest use found in Meredith Hanmer (1543–1604), Church of England and Church of Ireland clergyman and historian. From classical Latin reprehens-, past participial stem of reprehendere reprehend + -ive, perhaps after Middle French reprehensif (French répréhensif) that reprimands or rebukes. Compare post-classical Latin reprehensivus condemnatory. Compare earlier reprehend, reprehension, reprehensible, and also reprehensory.