1661, "reference, relationship," from Fr.
rapport, back-formation from
rapporter "bring back," from
re- "again" +
apporter "to bring," from L.
apportare "to bring," from
ad- "to" +
portare "to carry" (see
port (1)). Psychological meaning "intense harmonious accord," as between therapist and patient, is first attested 1894, though the word had been used in a very similar sense with ref. to mesmerism from 1845 (first recorded in E.A. Poe).