Etymology

recall

re·call
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Today it means: To withdraw, retract (one's words etc.); to revoke (an order). Full definition →

First used 16th c.
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The story

From re- + call, probably modelled on Latin revocāre, French rappeler, English withcall.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 16th c. To withdraw, retract (one's words etc.); to revoke (an order).
  • from 16th c. To call back, bring back, or summon (someone) to a specific place, station, etc.
  • from 16th c. To bring back (someone) to or from a particular mental or physical state, activity etc.
  • from 16th c. To call back (a situation, event, etc.) to one's mind; to remember; to recollect.
  • from 17th c. To call again; to call another time.
  • from 20th c. To request or order the return of (a faulty product).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.