late 14c., "an account brought by one person to another, rumor," from O.Fr. report (Mod.Fr. rapport), from reporter "to tell, relate," from L. reportare "carry back," from re- "back" + portare "to carry" (see port (1)). Meaning "formal statement of results of an investigation" first attested 1660s; sense of "teacher's official statement of a pupil's work and behavior" is from 1873 (report card first attested 1929). Meaning "resounding noise" is from 1580s. The verb is attested from late 14c.