1660s, "reference, relationship," from French rapport, back-formation from rapporter "bring back," from re- "again" (see re-) + apporter "to bring," from Latin apportare "to bring," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + portare "to carry" (see port (n.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 reference to mesmerism from 1845 (first recorded in E.A. Poe).