1550s, "disfigure," from Middle French disgracier (16c.), from Italian disgraziare, from disgrazia "misfortune, deformity," from dis- "opposite of" (see dis-) + grazia "grace" (see grace). Meaning "bring shame upon" is from 1590s. Related: Disgraced; disgracing. The noun is 1580s, from Middle French disgrace (16c.).