1461, from M.Fr.
devastation, from L.L.
devastationem, from L.
devastare "lay waste completely," from
de- "completely" +
vastare "lay waste," from
vastus "empty, desolate" (see
waste).
Devastate, probably a back-formation, is attested from 1638 but apparently was not common until 19c.; earlier verb form
devast is attested from 1537, from Fr.
devaster.