Origin: 1640–50; < Latindērelictus forsaken (past participle of dērelinquere), equivalent to dē-de- + relictus past participle of relinquere to leave, abandon; see relinquish
1640s, from L. derelictus, pp. of dereliquere "abandon," from de- "entirely" + relinquere "leave behind" (see relinquish). Originally especially of vessels abandoned at sea or stranded on shore.