late 14c., dominacioun, "rule, control by means of superior ability, influences, resources, or position; the exercise of power in ruling," from Old French dominacion "domination, rule, power" (12c.) and directly from Latin dominationem (nominative dominatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of dominari "to rule, have dominion over," from dominus "lord, master," literally "master of the house," from domus "house, home" (from PIE root *dem- "house, household") + -nus, suffix denoting ownership or relation. Sexual bondage sense is by 1961.
