c.1200, "cure for a disease or disorder; means of counteracting an evil," from Anglo-French remedie, Old French remede "remedy, cure" (12c., Modern French remède) and directly from Latin remedium "a cure, remedy, medicine, antidote, that which restores health," from re-, intensive prefix (or perhaps literally, "again;" see re-), + mederi "to heal" (see medical, adj.). Figurative use from c.1300.

c.1400, from Old French remedier or directly from Latin remediare, from remedium (see remedy, n.). Related: Remedied; remedying.