orgasm

The story

1. Ancient Greekὀργή (orgḗ)
2. Ancient Greekὀργάω (orgáō)
3. Ancient Greekὀργασμός (orgasmós)
4. Frenchorgasme
5. Ancient Greekὀργασμός (orgasmós)
6. Latinorgasmus
7. English todayorgasm

From French orgasme or New Latin orgasmus, from Ancient Greek ὀργασμός (orgasmós, “excitement, swelling”), from ὀργάω (orgáō, “to swell with moisture”).

First known use, by meaning

• 17th–19th c. A spasm or sudden contraction.
• from 18th c. A rush of sexual excitement; now specifically, the climax or peak of sexual pleasure, which occurs during sexual activity and which in males may include ejaculation and in females vaginal contractions.