Late 15th century; earliest use found in Reginald Pecock (c1392–?1459), bishop of Chichester and religious author. From post-classical Latin reportation-, reportatio action of carrying back, report (from 14th cent. in British sources; earlier in sense ‘fact of gaining (victory)’) from classical Latin reportāt-, past participial stem of reportāre + -iō; compare -ation. Compare Old French, Middle French reportation action of putting back or giving back.