Late 16th century; earliest use found in John Maplet (d. 1592), writer on natural philosophy. From classical Latin perīclitāt-, past participial stem of perīclitārī to be in danger, to expose to danger, to test from perīculum, perīclum trial, risk, danger. Compare Middle French, French péricliter to be shipwrecked, perish at sea, to expose to danger, to be in danger.